Transport Canada PPHEL key terms

A competency card proving the holder has passed an accredited boating safety test, required to operate a motorized pleasure craft in Canada. It is issued for life and does not expire, but can be suspended or revoked.

Documentation that a person operating a motorized pleasure craft meets the legal knowledge requirement. Acceptable forms include a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, a course completion card from an accredited provider, or certain equivalencies recognized by Transport Canada.

A vessel used only for recreational purposes that is not propelled by a motor and is not used for commercial activity. The term also covers craft fitted with a motor, and the regulations set different requirements depending on length and propulsion type.

A registration number issued for a pleasure craft fitted with an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more. The licence number must be displayed on both sides of the bow in the prescribed format and carried proof kept on board.

A unique 12-character code permanently affixed to the stern of a manufactured boat, identifying builder, model year and serial details. It is used for registration, recall tracking and theft recovery, and must never be altered or removed.

An organization approved by Transport Canada to deliver boating safety training and issue proof of competency to successful candidates. Only tests and courses from accredited providers are accepted as meeting the operator competency requirement.

Rules limiting operation of motorized pleasure craft by minors: children under 12 may operate only low-powered craft unsupervised, and those under 16 cannot operate craft above specified horsepower unless supervised by an adult holding proof of competency.

A form that a rental operator must review with the customer before departure, covering safety equipment location, local hazards and operating basics. The completed checklist must be carried on board while the rented craft is in use.

The minimum mandatory gear a pleasure craft must carry, such as lifejackets, throwing line, bailer or pump, sound-signalling device, and navigation lights when applicable. Requirements vary with craft length and type of propulsion.

A flotation garment or vest approved for recreational use that keeps a conscious wearer afloat and face-up in calm water. It must fit the wearer, be in good condition, and be readily accessible for each person on board.

A flotation device designed to turn an unconscious wearer face-up in the water, offering a higher safety standard than a PFD. Approved lifejackets of appropriate size are required for each person aboard a pleasure craft.

Equipment used to make the required audible signals, such as a whistle, air horn or bell, depending on vessel length. It must be capable of producing the prescribed blast duration and be within reach of the operator.

Lights displayed between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility to show a vessel's type, orientation and movement. Configuration depends on vessel length and class, and incorrect display can cause collision.

Pleasure craft with motors, fuel tanks or cooking appliances must carry approved extinguishers of specified minimum rating, with quantity depending on craft length. Extinguishers must be maintained, charged and mounted where quickly reachable.

The international and Canadian rules governing vessel conduct on the water, including right-of-way, safe speed, look-out and lights. They apply to all vessels and form the core of safe navigation practice.

The vessel required to keep clear of another and take early, substantial action to avoid collision. It should avoid crossing ahead and, where needed, slow down, stop or alter course clearly.

The vessel entitled to maintain its course and speed while another keeps clear. It must still monitor the situation and act if the give-way vessel fails to respond in time.

A speed that lets a vessel stop or take avoiding action within the distance needed, given visibility, traffic, water conditions and stopping ability. There is no universal number; the operator judges it continuously.

Continuous observation by sight and hearing, using all available means, to assess collision risk and hazards. A proper look-out must be maintained at all times and is not satisfied by occasional glances.

Conditions such as fog, heavy rain or darkness that limit how far a vessel can be seen or can see. Operators must slow down, sound appropriate signals, use lights and be ready to stop.

The spoken distress signal indicating grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. It is transmitted on VHF channel 16 and should include vessel identity, position, nature of distress and number of persons aboard.

The urgency signal used when a vessel or person is in trouble but not in immediate danger of loss of life. It alerts others to a serious situation and requests assistance without the priority of a distress call.

A structured transmission on channel 16 giving vessel name, position, problem, assistance needed and persons aboard. The operator should speak slowly, repeat key details, and remain on the channel for response.

Immediate actions when someone falls into the water: shout the alert, throw flotation, mark the position, keep the person in sight and manoeuvre to return. Approaching into wind and waves eases recovery.

A dangerous drop in core body temperature caused by cold water immersion or exposure. Symptoms include shivering, confusion and loss of coordination; treatment is slow rewarming and urgent medical help.

The physiological shock and rapid heat loss that occur when a person enters cold water. Gasping, hyperventilation and impaired swimming ability can occur within minutes, so flotation and calm breathing are critical.

An emergency requiring the operator to stop the engine, cut fuel if safe, aim an extinguisher at the base of flames and move people away. A fuel fire should never be attacked with water.

Predicted wind, wave and precipitation conditions issued by official sources such as Environment Canada marine forecasts. Operators should check before departure and monitor updates during the trip.

An official alert for hazardous marine conditions such as strong winds, gales or freezing spray. Warnings indicate conditions that may endanger small craft and should prompt reconsideration of the trip.

A marine warning issued when winds or waves are expected to be hazardous to small vessels. Operators of open or low-powered craft should seek shelter or remain ashore.

The vertical distance from trough to crest of a wave, commonly reported as significant wave height averaged over the highest third. It affects comfort, stability and the safe speed a small craft can maintain.

The turbulent water trail left behind a moving vessel. Wake can erode shorelines, damage moored boats and endanger swimmers, so operators must slow down in restricted and sensitive areas.

An area where a vessel must travel at the slowest speed that still allows steerage, producing minimal wake. These zones are marked or regulated near docks, beaches, narrow channels and environmentally sensitive waters.

Damage to banks and beaches caused by boat wake, propeller wash and prop dredging in shallow water. Operators can reduce it by keeping distance, slowing down and avoiding vegetated shallows.

Non-native plants and animals such as zebra mussels that spread through hull fouling, trailers and ballast water. Boaters should clean, drain and dry equipment between water bodies to prevent transfer.

A preventive practice for moving boats between waters: remove plants and mud, drain all compartments and live wells, then dry thoroughly. It reduces the spread of invasive species and is required or recommended in many areas.

Practices that prevent fire and spillage: stop engines, extinguish flames, keep people off while fueling, avoid overfilling, and ventilate before restarting. Portable tanks should be filled ashore where possible.

A fan that removes explosive fuel vapours from the engine compartment before starting a gasoline inboard engine. It should run for several minutes after fueling and before ignition.

A routine inspection before leaving dock covering weather, fuel, safety equipment, engine condition, bilge, plugs and float plan. It catches problems while help is still available and is a legal expectation of careful operation.

A written summary of intended route, times, vessel details and persons aboard, left with a responsible person ashore. It helps rescuers locate a overdue vessel and should be cancelled on safe return.

How passengers, gear and fuel are placed to keep a boat level and stable. Poor distribution can cause porpoising, reduced freeboard or capsizing, especially in small open craft.

The overturning of a vessel, often caused by overloading, poor weight distribution, waves or abrupt manoeuvres. Staying with the craft and wearing flotation greatly improves survival chances.