Small Tour Boat Safety Program

If your plans this summer include a boat tour, Transport Canada wants to make sure you get the information you need for a safe trip. Under the department’s new Small Passenger Vessel Safety Program, highly visible decals will be posted on boats that have been inspected by the department and comply with new Transport Canada safety requirements.

Every year in Canada, passenger boat injuries and fatalities occur that could have been prevented if appropriate information, training and equipment had been available to the crew and passengers on board.

Transport Canada Marine Safety Inspectors are working with small passenger vessel operators across the country to enhance the safety of small tour boat operations. Operators are required to ensure that their vessels meet national construction and maintenance standards. Operators and crew must be adequately trained and certified to deal with marine emergencies. As well, all required safety and lifesaving equipment must be available and accessible on board in the event of an emergency.

Vessel owners who have successfully demonstrated that they meet these requirements will be issued a Transport Canada Inspection Certificate and a bright yellow passenger vessel decal to display in a prominent location on the boat.

Safety is a shared responsibility. While Transport Canada inspects all small tour boats to verify that they meet the applicable safety standards and regulations, you, as a paying passenger on a boat tour, can take a few simple precautionary measures to enhance your own safety and ensure a safe trip. Ask the boat operator if they have a valid Transport Canada Inspection Certificate or look for the bright yellow passenger vessel decal on the boat. Ensure your boat operator provides a safety briefing before setting out so that you know where the life jackets are and what to do in the event of an emergency.

In addition, before boarding the vessel, make sure that life jackets are available in proper numbers and sizes. If you are bringing children, tell the boat operator in advance so that appropriate life jackets are on board.

Safety is no accident! Transport Canada is confident this program will foster a safety culture among passengers and operators to help further enhance the safety of passenger vessels.

For information on Transport Canada's Small Passenger Vessel Safety Program contact your local Transport Canada Centre.

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