What kind of boating regulations are in place?
The Federal government produces a Safe Boating Guide and we encourage all renters to read it. It covers the safety equipment required in ALL watercraft (including paddle boats and canoes) and covers the new Operator Competency Requirements that are being phased in over the next few years. “Safe Boating is Everyone’s Business.”Proper safety equipment including life jackets are available for use and it is the renter’s responsibility that they be used when operating any watercraft, motorized or not. The simplified rule to remember is to wear a life jacket. By law, all watercraft must have on board one life-jacket per passenger, whether being worn or not (it has to be in the boat).
Before heading out, you need to know the laws, regulations and local rules. These generally include: collision regulations, small vessel regulations, local rules concerning safe speeds, vessel separation/right of way, and key laws that apply to the operation of all vessels, regardless of size. In addition, there are criminal code laws concerning impaired or dangerous driving and other activities.