Pleasure Craft Operator Card - PCOP

[Phil M]

Up here in Canada, everyone on the water is NOW required to have a PCOP: sailors, powerboaters, personal watercraft users, etc. If this relatively new law actually gets enforced next spring, it should cut down on the number of morons on our waters. If you are too lazy to apply for it, or too stupid to pass the PCOP 'test', then you are subject to a heavy fine if you get caught without one on your person.

Phil M

[Gerry the fish]

It has been phased in here in Portland over a couple of years depending on your age. Honestly havent seen much improvement - morons with engines bigger than their egos wont change no matter what quiz they take.

I sail 14 foot dinghies as well as my mac and with 20 of us out on the water we had a big boater zoom thru the race several times. Our rescue boat flagged him down and he argued that he left less wake at 40mph than at 10 mph (true but he leaves an even smaller wake at 3 mph )

[DaveB]

Wish they had one in SW. Florida, more than half the boats I see do not know rules of the road and many more think the bigger their boat the more of right of way pertains to them.
50 ft. power boat doing 30 knots in the 150 ft. wide channel is game for them for anyone comeing in opposite direction. (you always see them turn their heads to see how much your boat gets swamped for a good laugh) happens all the time down here.
Who says a gun isn't good advice to have on board!
All the law inforcements are never their and we have plenty hanging around the slow or Idle speed areas stoping boats just for randum ck.
Dave

Up here in Canada, everyone on the water is NOW required to have a PCOP: sailors, powerboaters, personal watercraft users, etc. If this relatively new law actually gets enforced next spring, it should cut down on the number of morons on our waters. If you are too lazy to apply for it, or too stupid to pass the PCOP 'test', then you are subject to a heavy fine if you get caught without one on your person.

Phil M

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

For those of us from the US, you can still operate your boat in Canadian waters without a card for up to 44 consecutive days.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/o ... erator.htm
A Certification card from your home state if you have one will also meet the Canadian requirement.

Washington has had the same requirement since 2008 and is phasing it in over time.


http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered/

[Shane]

It has been phased in here in Portland over a couple of years depending on your age. Honestly havent seen much improvement - morons with engines bigger than their egos wont change no matter what quiz they take.

The lack of personnel for CCG or RCMP to enforce the law is its' biggest impediment; the PCOC may now be required by everyone, but if it's not being enforced....? One weekend last month the RCMP inflatable was out and checking EVERY vessel out and around Port Coquitlam. They do that a few times at the beginning of next years season, the word will get out and boaters not bothering with the PCOC will start to take it more seriously.

Oddly, the number of students taking the Canadian Power Squadron's BoatPro course (other than challenging the exam, their minimum course offering for attaining a PCOC) or the Boating Course (what I personally feel is more appropriate for a minimal standard than what is currently required for the PCOC) is down this year throughout the lower mainland area of Vancouver.

I think when the insurance companies begin to use the lack of a PCOC it as a legal escape clause in settlement claims, then it will start to have some teeth. I still don't think it's stringent enough, but that's a different issue.

Regards,
Shane

[Russ]

I think when the insurance companies begin to use the lack of a PCOC it as a legal escape clause in settlement claims, then it will start to have some teeth.

Good point. However, will they still take the premiums?
The nice thing about BoatUS insurance (and maybe others) is they recognize your boating education in your rates.

Many states are implementing required boating education and certification. I know New Jersey has phased in a mandatory certification law complete this year. It's a good idea, but ignorance is bliss and many people just don't know the law. Add the lack of enforcement and it does little good. That's the problem with laws. Legislators seem to believe we need more laws when the existing ones are not adequately enforced. On the flip side, enforcement costs money, a lot of it. Many states are broke and I don't see funding for more enforcement in the future.


--Russ

[bubba]

I wonder if the Canadian law is simular to the Washington state law as far as age? Under Wa law I don't need a permit because of beeing born in 1950 and I am excluded but my wife who is 6 years younger does. Is there a simular age requirement in Canada where if your over a certain age you would be exempt ? If not there will be a mess of Wa state yachters in trouble. What about countries and USA states that do not have any such laws and visiting yachters have no clue of these laws. Is there a link to these new Canadian laws? I think this kind of law is needed so that very young boaters are not driving while the adults are drunk or passed out like around here on the Columbia river.

Just incase you did not know it a new law went in affect the first of October that requires $300,000.00 worth of liability insurance on all boats with motors of almost any kind in Washington State. All Washington state boaters need proof of insurance in there boat at all times now like in autos. Is there a Canadian law like that ?

[Wind Chime]

Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)
What is a Pleasure Craft Operator Card and who needs one?


The Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is legislated by Transport Canada and is proof that the holder understands the rules and regulations of Canadian waterways. To obtain a PCOC you must pass a Transport Canada accredited test (passing grade 75%). When you are on the water you must carry the card with you at all times. Your Pleasure Craft Operator Card is good for life.

What is a Pleasure Craft?

Anyone who drives a motorized Pleasure Craft under 4 metres in length must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card. To give Canadians time to adapt to the new regulations, Transport Canada is implementing the new law in phases:
September 15, 1999 - Now in effect
All operators born after April 1, 1983.

September 15, 2002 - Now in effect
All operators of power driven pleasure craft under 4m, includes PWCs.

September 15, 2009
All operators of power driven pleasure craft.

Pleasure Craft

Examples of pleasure craft:
•Powerboats
•Personal watercraft (PWC) – i.e. Jet Ski
•Canoes and kayaks
•Sailboats or sailboards
•Airboats
•Hovercraft (Air cushion vehicles, ACV)
If your water craft is fitted with a motor (whether it is turned on or not) you must have a Pleasure Card Operator Card.

[Shane]

I wonder if the Canadian law is simular to the Washington state law as far as age? Under Wa law I don't need a permit because of beeing born in 1950 and I am excluded but my wife who is 6 years younger does. Is there a simular age requirement in Canada where if your over a certain age you would be exempt ?

Actually, I believe the WA program graduated implimentation is following the Candian one; ours began several years ago and on Sept. 15, 2009 become fully fledged.

What about countries and USA states that do not have any such laws and visiting yachters have no clue of these laws. Is there a link to these new Canadian laws?

As Duane mentioned, non-Canadian residents have 44 days. More complete info can be found here:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/debs/o ... k/menu.htm

Just incase you did not know it a new law went in affect the first of October that requires $300,000.00 worth of liability insurance on all boats with motors of almost any kind in Washington State. All Washington state boaters need proof of insurance in there boat at all times now like in autos. Is there a Canadian law like that ?

To be honest, I'm not sure. I know most marinas require it for moorage (not transient). I hadn't heard about the new WA requirement... and I seasonally moor my boat in WA!!! But I do carry way more liability than that.

For Canadians heading into WA waters, the only PCOC card recognised by USBLA (US Boating Lawmakers Assoc.) and the USCG is the one available through the Canadian Power Squadron, and has an additional 14 (or 16?) questions.

Regards,
Shane

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

The first year the Wa law required cards was in 2008 for those under 20 years old. First time I've heard about the ins. requirement as well.

[Shane]

I think when the insurance companies begin to use the lack of a PCOC it as a legal escape clause in settlement claims, then it will start to have some teeth.

Good point. However, will they still take the premiums?

Oh I think that they'd gladly take it . Compare it to auto insurance. You can insure your vehicle without having a driver's license. However, if you were to be driving it (without a legally required license) and got in an accident, you bet your insurance co. would center in on your illegal operation of the vehicle and void your policy.

Regards,
Shane

[TAW02]

So far as I know Florida hasn't adopted this PCOP license. But since we are considered trailer sailors, what's to say that we might show up in Wa for a few weeks of cruising.

Are we required to get a licencse? Or are out-state boaters exempt.

Big T

[Hamin' X]

I don't know that we can buy auto insurance down here, without a driver's license.

~Rich

[SkiDeep2001]

Washington has had the same requirement since 2008 and is phasing it in over time.


http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatered/

Hmm, let's see, I'll be 57 next May(2010) so that would put me at 61 in May 2014. The chart ends at 60, do I have to take the test and get a card or do I have to become a landlubber or am I 'grandfathered' in? If I make it that far. I'll go over or under that bridge when I get to it. Rob

[Hamin' X]

Oregon was way ahead in this:


There is no Grandfather clause in the law. Once the program is phased in, powerboat operators of all ages must carry a boater education card. Here is how the program works:

• All operators of power boats greater than 10 horsepower, and youth 12 and over operating any size powerboat, must carry a boater education card.
  
  Youths must be 12 or older to obtain a boater educaton card. Youths 11 or younger may not operate any power boat starting January 1, 2003.
  
  A person age 12-15 who possesses a boater education card may operate a boat of 10 hp or less without an adult on board.
  
  A person age 12-15 who possesses a boater education card may operate a boat of greater than 10 hp if accompanied by an adult 16 or older who also possesses a boater education card. If operating a PWC, the card holding adult must be 18 or older.
  
  A person age 16 and older will need a boater education card to operate a power boat greater than 10 horsepower, including PWC.

~Rich