PCOC Safety Regulations and Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Canadian boating regulations, what is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) allowed when operating a pleasure craft?
- 0.04%
- 0.06%
- 0.08% (Correct answer)
- 0.10%
Correct answer: 0.08%
Operating a pleasure craft with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.
Question 2: Which of the following is considered a legal minimum safety equipment requirement for a pleasure craft under 6 metres operated during daytime in calm inland waters?
- A flare kit and fire extinguisher only
- A buoyant heaving line, bailer or bilge pump, and a personal flotation device per person (Correct answer)
- A VHF radio and first aid kit
- An anchor and compass only
Correct answer: A buoyant heaving line, bailer or bilge pump, and a personal flotation device per person
Pleasure craft must carry at minimum a buoyant heaving line, a bailer or bilge pump, and a PFD or lifejacket for each person on board.
Question 3: A vessel is considered 'unseaworthy' under the Canada Shipping Act if:
- It lacks a GPS unit
- It poses an undue risk of harm to those on board or the environment (Correct answer)
- It is over 20 years old
- It does not have a marine radio
Correct answer: It poses an undue risk of harm to those on board or the environment
A vessel is unseaworthy when it poses undue risk to persons on board or to the environment due to its condition or insufficient equipment.
Question 4: What must an operator do if their pleasure craft is involved in a collision that results in injury?
- Continue to the nearest marina and file a report within 72 hours
- Stop, render assistance if safe to do so, and report the accident to authorities (Correct answer)
- Leave the scene if no vessel is sinking
- Only report if the other vessel is over 8 metres
Correct answer: Stop, render assistance if safe to do so, and report the accident to authorities
Operators must stop, render assistance when safe, and report accidents involving injury or significant damage to authorities.
Question 5: Which agency in Canada is primarily responsible for enforcing pleasure craft regulations on navigable waters?
- Canada Border Services Agency
- Transport Canada and the RCMP/local police (Correct answer)
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
Correct answer: Transport Canada and the RCMP/local police
Transport Canada sets the regulations and enforcement is carried out by the RCMP, Coast Guard, and local police on navigable waterways.
Question 6: When is a pleasure craft operator required to wear a PFD or lifejacket?
- Only during nighttime operations
- At all times while the craft is underway
- Whenever Transport Canada issues a small craft advisory (Correct answer)
- It is recommended but never legally required
Correct answer: Whenever Transport Canada issues a small craft advisory
While carriage is mandatory, wearing a PFD is required during small craft advisories and strongly recommended at all times; some provincial rules also apply.
Question 7: What is the minimum age to operate a pleasure craft with an engine power of more than 40 kW (53.6 hp) without supervision?
- 12 years old
- 14 years old
- 16 years old (Correct answer)
- 18 years old
Correct answer: 16 years old
Operators must be at least 16 years old to operate a pleasure craft with more than 40 kW of engine power without adult supervision.
PCOC Safety Regulations and Procedures 2
Under Canadian boating regulations, what is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) allowed when operating a pleasure craft?