November 2006

MTAC Boater exams

Service BC – Government Agent offices are a point of sale for Marine Training & Consulting Ltd (MTAC) home study boater safety packages and exams. Passing this exam grants an individual a pleasure craft operator card. This card demonstrates that its holder has completed an accredited boater safety course and satisfies the Canadian Coast Guard proof of competency requirements for operators of motorized recreational vessels.

The following table outlines current and future regulatory requirements of the Canada Shipping Act: Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations. More information about these requirements can be found on the Office of Boating Safety’s Operator Competency Requirements webpage. <<http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/courses.htm>>.

Date at which proof of competency is required

** Applies to non-residents of Canada and whose pleasure craft is in Canada more than 45 consecutive days. Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.

Applicants can register to write the MTAC boater safety exam at all 59 Service BC - Government Agent offices in British Columbia. A home study boater safety manual is available and new boaters applying to write the MTAC exam are strongly encouraged to purchase this publication. Experienced boaters may register to write a challenge exam which will satisfy the competency requirement.

More information about Marine Training & Consulting Ltd boater safety exams can be found by visiting their website <<http://www.basicboating.com/>> or by calling toll free: 1-800-474-5210 during the hours of 7:00am-3:00pm PST, Monday – Friday.