Small Vessel Regulations (SOR/2010-91)

Vessel Safety Equipment and Navigation Equipment

211 A human-powered pleasure craft shall carry on board, for the category of equipment set out in column 1 of the table to this section, the equipment set out in column 2 as indicated in that column.

SUBPART 3General Exceptions for Pleasure Craft

Personal Flotation Devices and Lifejackets

212 If a person who is a resident of a country other than Canada brings on board a pleasure craft a personal flotation device or lifejacket for their personal use that conforms to the laws of that country and that is of an appropriate size and in good condition, the pleasure craft is not required to carry on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket for that person that meets the requirements of these Regulations.

Visual Signals

• 213 (1) No visual signals are required to be carried on board a pleasure craft that is not more than 6 m in length and is not fitted with an engine.

• (2) Pyrotechnic distress signals are not required to be carried on board a pleasure craft that

  • (a) is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can at no time be more than one nautical mile from shore; or

  • (b) has no sleeping arrangements and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

• (3) For a pleasure craft more than 6 m in length, the number of pyrotechnic distress signals referred to in subitems 2(b) and 3(b) of the table to section 205 and in item 2 of the table to section 210 may be reduced up to a maximum of 50%, provided the number of smoke signals does not exceed 50% of the permitted number of smoke signals in those tables, if the pleasure craft is equipped with

  • (a) a means of two-way radio communication;

  • (b) a 406 MHz personal locator beacon that is the subject of a technical acceptance certificate issued under subparagraph 5(1)(a)(iv) of the Radiocommunication Act, worn by the pleasure craft operator; or

  • (c) a 406 MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacon.

Bailers and Manual Bilge Pumps

214 A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required to be carried on board a pleasure craft that cannot retain a sufficient quantity of water to make it capsize or whose compartments are sealed and are not readily accessible.

Magnetic Compass

215 A magnetic compass is not required to be carried on board a pleasure craft that is not more than 8 m in length and that navigates within sight of seamarks.

Racing Pleasure Craft

216 A racing pleasure craft, other than a canoe, kayak or rowing shell, that is engaged in formal training, in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition, and that is operated under conditions of clear visibility and is attended by a safety craft, may carry on board the safety equipment that is required by the rules of the governing body instead of the safety equipment required by this Part.

SUBPART 4Exceptions for Pleasure Craft Other than Human-Powered Pleasure Craft

Firefighting Equipment

217 A portable fire extinguisher of a particular classification is not required to be carried on board a pleasure craft other than a human-powered pleasure craft if two or more portable fire extinguishers are carried on board that meet the requirements of subsection 12(1) and that have a total capacity rating at least equal to the capacity rating of the required fire extinguisher.

Personal Watercraft

218 If every person on board a personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device or a lifejacket of an appropriate size, the personal watercraft is required to carry on board only the following safety equipment:

• (a) a sound-signalling device;

• (b) a watertight flashlight or three pyrotechnic distress signals, not more than one of which is a smoke signal;

• (c) a magnetic compass, if the personal watercraft is navigated out of sight of seamarks; and

• (d) navigation lights that meet the requirements of the Collision Regulations, if the personal watercraft is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

Sailboards and Kiteboards

• 219 (1) If the operator of a sailboard or kiteboard is wearing a personal flotation device of an appropriate size, the sailboard or kiteboard is required to carry on board only the following safety equipment:

  • (a) a sound-signalling device; and

  • (b) a watertight flashlight, if the sailboard or kiteboard is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

• (2) A sailboard or kiteboard is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part if it is engaged in an official competition at which a safety craft is in attendance and carrying on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size for the operator of the sailboard or kiteboard that can be donned in the water.

SUBPART 5Exceptions for Human-Powered Pleasure Craft

Paddleboats, Watercycles, Stand-Up Paddleboards and Sealed-Hull, Sit-on-Top Kayaks

220 If every person on board a paddleboat, a watercycle, a stand-up paddleboard or a sealed-hull, sit-on-top kayak is wearing a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size, the paddleboat, watercycle, paddleboard or kayak is required to carry on board only the following safety equipment:

• (a) a sound-signalling device; and

• (b) a watertight flashlight, if the paddleboat, watercycle, paddleboard or kayak is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

Racing Canoes and Racing Kayaks

• 221 (1) A racing canoe or racing kayak that is engaged in formal training, in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition that is governed by safety guidelines and procedures established by the governing body is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part if it is attended by a safety craft that is carrying on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size

  • (a) for each person on board the canoe or kayak, if the safety craft is attending only one pleasure craft; or

  • (b) for each person on board the canoe or kayak with the most persons on board, if the safety craft is attending more than one pleasure craft.

• (2) However, if the canoe or kayak is not attended by a safety craft, it is required to carry on board the following safety equipment:

  • (a) a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board;

  • (b) a sound-signalling device; and

  • (c) a watertight flashlight, if the canoe or kayak is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.

Rowing Shells

• 222 (1) A rowing shell that is competing in a provincially, nationally or internationally sanctioned regatta or competition, or engaged in training at the venue at which the regatta or competition is taking place, is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part.

• (2) A rowing shell that is engaged in activities governed by safety guidelines and procedures established by the governing body is not required to carry on board the safety equipment required by this Part if it is attended by a safety craft that is carrying on board a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size

  • (a) for each person on board the rowing shell, if the safety craft is attending only one rowing shell; or

  • (b) for each person on board the rowing shell with the most persons on board, if the safety craft is attending more than one rowing shell.

• (3) However, if the rowing shell is not attended by a safety craft, it is required to carry on board only the following safety equipment:

  • (a) a personal flotation device or lifejacket of an appropriate size for each person on board;

  • (b) a sound-signalling device; and

  • (c) a watertight flashlight, if the rowing shell is operated after sunset or before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility.