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Whether you kayak or captain a yacht, boating in Canada means following specific safety equipment requirements per Transport Canada. These aren’t just recommendations—they’re the law. Here’s your clear guide to what you legally need on board based on your vessel type and length.
What Are Carriage Requirements?
Under Canada’s Small Vessel Regulations, every pleasure craft—whether it’s a motorboat, sailboat, paddleboard, or Sea-Doo—needs to have the right safety gear on board. It must be Canadian-approved (by Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, or Fisheries and Oceans Canada), in good working order, and easy to reach in an emergency. It doesn’t matter if you own the boat, rent it, or borrow it—the rules still apply.
Note: These rules are for recreational boating only—commercial vessels follow a different set of requirements. Also worth noting: inflatable self-propelled toys and remote-controlled boats don’t count as legal vessels.
PFDs and Lifejackets: One Per Person
You need to have one approved lifejacket or PFD for every person on board—no exceptions. It has to fit properly, be in good shape (no rips, fading, or broken buckles), and have a visible Canadian approval label. It also needs to be easy to grab in an emergency—not buried in a bin or stashed out of reach.
Best Practice: Just Wear It
More than 90% of people who drown while boating in Canada weren’t wearing a lifejacket—even though they had one on board. The easiest way to stay safe? Wear your PFD. Every time, no matter the weather.
Other Required Lifesaving Gear (Besides a Lifejacket)
There’s more to safe boating than just having a PFD. Here’s a quick look at the other gear you’re expected to carry, depending on your boat:
Buoyant Heaving Line
You’ll need one that floats, is at least 15 metres long, and made from a single piece of rope. It’s for rescue use only—not tying up at the dock.
Reboarding Device
If the distance from the water to your deck is more than half a meter, you’ll need something to help you get back on board—like a swim ladder or a low transom.
Lifebuoy
Boats over nine metres need a lifebuoy at least 610 mm across. If you’re over 12 and up to 24 meters, that lifebuoy also needs a self-igniting light.
Bailers and Pumps
Every boat must carry one of the following a bailer that holds at least 750 mL (three cups) or a manual bilge pump with a hose long enough to reach the bilge and pump overboard. However, if your boat is watertight and can’t hold enough water to capsize, you’re off the hook for this one.
Visual Signals
The number of flares you need to carry in Canada depends on the size of your boat and where you're operating. If your boat is under 6 metres and has a motor, you're required to carry either three approved flares (Types A, B, or C) or a watertight flashlight. Boats between six and nine meters must carry six flares (again, Type A, B, or C) plus a watertight flashlight. For boats between nine and 24 metres, the requirement increases to 12 flares, which can be a mix of Types A, B, C, and D—though no more than six can be smoke flares (Type D). A watertight flashlight is also required.
There are exceptions. Boats that stay within one nautical mile of shore on lakes, rivers, or canals—and those used in organized competitions or without sleeping accommodations—may not need flares at all. You can also cut your flare requirement in half if you carry a two-way communication device (like a VHF radio, satellite phone, or cellphone with service) or a registered 406 MHz emergency beacon (PLB or EPIRB).
Sound Signals
Every boat needs a sound-making device. If your boat is under 12 meters, a whistle, air horn, or electric horn will do. If it’s over 12 meters, you need a built-in whistle—and if you’re over 20 meters, add a bell to the list.
Navigation Equipment
Depending on your boat and where you’re going, you might also need navigation lights (required between sunset and sunrise or in low visibility), a magnetic compass (if over eight meters and away from navigation markers) and a radar reflector (if under 20 meters and not made of metal). More information is available in Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide.
Firefighting Gear
If your boat has a motor, fuel system, or a galley, you’ll likely need a fire extinguisher (usually 5BC or 10BC, depending on size). Larger vessels may also need fire buckets, an axe, or a fire pump.
Further details are available in Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide.
Final Thoughts
The minimum is just that—a minimum. If you’re venturing offshore, into remote areas, or anywhere help might take a while to reach you, bringing extra gear is more than just a good idea—it could make all the difference. Plan ahead, pack smart, and make safety part of the adventure.
