CANADIAN BOATING EXAM
To make navigation safer, regulations require operators of ships greater than -
ANSWERS-100 tons to have onboard the most recent editions of the required
charts, documents, and publications for the area in which they plan to boat.
If you are the owner or operator of a vessel less than 100 tons, you are not
required to have the charts, documents, and publications onboard as long as you
have sufficient knowledge of: - ANSWERS-The location and character of charted
shipping routes, lights, buoys and marks, and navigational hazards; and
The prevailing navigational conditions, taking into account such factors as tides,
currents, ice, and weather patterns.
Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations - ANSWERS-Regulations on boating
restrictions apply to certain waters and Canadian waterways. Some provinces, like
Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, have adopted a universal speed
limit for boats of 10Km/hr when within 30m of the shore on all waterways, while
coastal provinces such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia have done the same
for their inland waters.
Federal Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations are specific to certain waters
and waterways in Canada, and can specify: - ANSWERS-The types of vessels
prohibited on a given waterway;
Standardized speed limits on a given waterway;
Maximum engine horsepower on a given waterway;
Power vessel restriction on a given waterway; and
,Waterskiing restrictions.
Other Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations - ANSWERS-passed and enforced
by local municipal governments. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention
to all signs encountered while boating, and to comply with any indicated
regulations. Boaters must not tamper with or alter regulatory signs in any way
(i.e. hiding, changing, damaging or destroying, or mooring to a sign is not
permitted). Failure to comply with these regulations is a chargeable offense.
Stand-on Vessel (B) - When encountering another vessel, as the operator of the
stand-on vessel, you must: - ANSWERS-Maintain course and speed;
Keep a proper lookout and return communication with the give-way vessel; and
Do all you can to avoid collision.
Give-Way Vessel (A) - ANSWERS-As the operator of the give-way vessel, you must
take early and substantial action to avoid collisions.
Safe Boating to Avoid Collisions - ANSWERS-Avoiding collisions involves
precautionary measures (e.g. proper lookout, use of radar if present), but more
importantly, collision avoidance is made possible when boat operators know how
to deal with situations appropriately. Boats in constant motion will meet quickly,
so take early and substantial action to avoid collisions.
As a general rule, rowboats, sailing vessels, and canoes are less maneuverable and
therefore have - ANSWERS-the right-of-way over power-driven boats. However, if
,one vessel is unable to maneuver as it normally would, the most maneuverable
vessel gives way.
Steer Clear of Tug Boats - ANSWERS-A tug boat can pull a vessel with a long tow
line that can hang underneath the water's surface, making it very difficult to see.
Attempting to pass between a tug and its tow could result in your vessel hitting
the hidden line and capsizing, or getting hit by the towed object.
According to the Canadian Collision Regulations - ANSWERS-any vessel not under
command, or vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver - including fishing vessels,
sailboats, paddle craft, canoes, and kayaks - has the right of way over power-
driven vessels unless it is overtaking the power-driven vessel.
Shipping Lanes - ANSWERS-Remember that large vessels found in shipping lanes
will not always see your small craft, making it very dangerous for a smaller vessel
to enter a shipping lane. The Canadian Collision Regulations state that power-
driven vessels less than 20m in length, sailing vessels, and manually-propelled
vessels must all steer clear of and avoid crossing shipping lanes wherever
possible. If you must cross a shipping lane, do so at a 90-degree angle, and only
when it is safe to do so.
Operation Within Narrow Channels - ANSWERS-When approaching a narrow
channel, stay to the starboard side and, using a prolonged blast, announce your
approach to vessels that may be around the bend. When operating within a
narrow channel, vessels must keep as near as is safe and practical to the outer
limit of a narrow channel on their starboard side. Sailing vessels and vessels less
than 20 metres in length cannot block the passage of a vessel that can safely
navigate only within a narrow channel (i.e., recreational boaters travelling in a
main channel should give way to larger vessels, such as tugboats).
, Port-Hand Buoys: - ANSWERS-Are green in colour and can be shaped as cans,
spars, or pillars;
Mark the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept
on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream
direction;
Display identification letter(s) and odd number(s);
If they carry a top mark, it is a single green cylinder;
If they carry a light, it flashes green; and
If they do not carry a light, each has a flat top.
Starboard-Hand Buoys: - ANSWERS-Are red in colour and can be shaped conically,
as spars, or as pillars;
Mark the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must
be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the
upstream direction;
Display identification letter(s) and even number(s);
If they carry a top mark, it is a single red cone pointing upward;
If they carry a light, it flashes red; and
If they do not carry a light, they each have a pointed top.
Bifurcation buoys - ANSWERS-You may pass buoys with red and green bands on
either side in the upstream direction. The main or preferred channel, however, is
shown by the colour of the top-most band. For example, if a green band is on top,
then you should keep the buoy on your port (left) side.
To make navigation safer, regulations require operators of ships greater than -
ANSWERS-100 tons to have onboard the most recent editions of the required
charts, documents, and publications for the area in which they plan to boat.
If you are the owner or operator of a vessel less than 100 tons, you are not
required to have the charts, documents, and publications onboard as long as you
have sufficient knowledge of: - ANSWERS-The location and character of charted
shipping routes, lights, buoys and marks, and navigational hazards; and
The prevailing navigational conditions, taking into account such factors as tides,
currents, ice, and weather patterns.
Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations - ANSWERS-Regulations on boating
restrictions apply to certain waters and Canadian waterways. Some provinces, like
Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, have adopted a universal speed
limit for boats of 10Km/hr when within 30m of the shore on all waterways, while
coastal provinces such as British Columbia and Nova Scotia have done the same
for their inland waters.
Federal Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations are specific to certain waters
and waterways in Canada, and can specify: - ANSWERS-The types of vessels
prohibited on a given waterway;
Standardized speed limits on a given waterway;
Maximum engine horsepower on a given waterway;
Power vessel restriction on a given waterway; and
,Waterskiing restrictions.
Other Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations - ANSWERS-passed and enforced
by local municipal governments. Therefore, it is important to pay close attention
to all signs encountered while boating, and to comply with any indicated
regulations. Boaters must not tamper with or alter regulatory signs in any way
(i.e. hiding, changing, damaging or destroying, or mooring to a sign is not
permitted). Failure to comply with these regulations is a chargeable offense.
Stand-on Vessel (B) - When encountering another vessel, as the operator of the
stand-on vessel, you must: - ANSWERS-Maintain course and speed;
Keep a proper lookout and return communication with the give-way vessel; and
Do all you can to avoid collision.
Give-Way Vessel (A) - ANSWERS-As the operator of the give-way vessel, you must
take early and substantial action to avoid collisions.
Safe Boating to Avoid Collisions - ANSWERS-Avoiding collisions involves
precautionary measures (e.g. proper lookout, use of radar if present), but more
importantly, collision avoidance is made possible when boat operators know how
to deal with situations appropriately. Boats in constant motion will meet quickly,
so take early and substantial action to avoid collisions.
As a general rule, rowboats, sailing vessels, and canoes are less maneuverable and
therefore have - ANSWERS-the right-of-way over power-driven boats. However, if
,one vessel is unable to maneuver as it normally would, the most maneuverable
vessel gives way.
Steer Clear of Tug Boats - ANSWERS-A tug boat can pull a vessel with a long tow
line that can hang underneath the water's surface, making it very difficult to see.
Attempting to pass between a tug and its tow could result in your vessel hitting
the hidden line and capsizing, or getting hit by the towed object.
According to the Canadian Collision Regulations - ANSWERS-any vessel not under
command, or vessel restricted in its ability to maneuver - including fishing vessels,
sailboats, paddle craft, canoes, and kayaks - has the right of way over power-
driven vessels unless it is overtaking the power-driven vessel.
Shipping Lanes - ANSWERS-Remember that large vessels found in shipping lanes
will not always see your small craft, making it very dangerous for a smaller vessel
to enter a shipping lane. The Canadian Collision Regulations state that power-
driven vessels less than 20m in length, sailing vessels, and manually-propelled
vessels must all steer clear of and avoid crossing shipping lanes wherever
possible. If you must cross a shipping lane, do so at a 90-degree angle, and only
when it is safe to do so.
Operation Within Narrow Channels - ANSWERS-When approaching a narrow
channel, stay to the starboard side and, using a prolonged blast, announce your
approach to vessels that may be around the bend. When operating within a
narrow channel, vessels must keep as near as is safe and practical to the outer
limit of a narrow channel on their starboard side. Sailing vessels and vessels less
than 20 metres in length cannot block the passage of a vessel that can safely
navigate only within a narrow channel (i.e., recreational boaters travelling in a
main channel should give way to larger vessels, such as tugboats).
, Port-Hand Buoys: - ANSWERS-Are green in colour and can be shaped as cans,
spars, or pillars;
Mark the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept
on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream
direction;
Display identification letter(s) and odd number(s);
If they carry a top mark, it is a single green cylinder;
If they carry a light, it flashes green; and
If they do not carry a light, each has a flat top.
Starboard-Hand Buoys: - ANSWERS-Are red in colour and can be shaped conically,
as spars, or as pillars;
Mark the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must
be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the
upstream direction;
Display identification letter(s) and even number(s);
If they carry a top mark, it is a single red cone pointing upward;
If they carry a light, it flashes red; and
If they do not carry a light, they each have a pointed top.
Bifurcation buoys - ANSWERS-You may pass buoys with red and green bands on
either side in the upstream direction. The main or preferred channel, however, is
shown by the colour of the top-most band. For example, if a green band is on top,
then you should keep the buoy on your port (left) side.
