Legal Information

All boaters should be aware of the following regulations. For additional information, pick up a copy of the Ontario Provincial Police Marine Safety Handbook or visit the Office of Boating Safety.

Operator Competency Requirements

• As of September 15th 1999 all operators born after April 1st 1983 must have an Operators Card.
  
  
• As of September 15th 2002 all operators of craft under 4 meters in length, including personal watercraft, must have an Operators Card.
  
  
• As of September 15th 2009 ALL boat operators must have an Operators Card.

Age and Horsepower Restrictions

• Persons under 12 years of age & not directly supervised* may operate vessels with no more than 10 HP
  
  
• Persons between 12 and 16 years of age & not directly supervised* may operate vessels with no more than 40 HP
  
  
• Persons 16 years and over have no power restrictions.
  
  

* "Directly supervised" means accompanied and supervised by a person 16 years of age or older.

Note: Persons under 16 years old are NOT permitted to operate a personal watercraft.

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Other Precautions

• Careless operation: Operators in Ontario can be charged under the Criminal Code or ticketed under new regulations for:
  
  
  1. Operating a craft in any way that could adversely affect the safety of others; considering the weather, visibility, amount of traffic, or the number of other boats or people nearby, manuverability, navigation conditions, and hazards.
     
     
  2. Operating in a careless manner without due care and attention for the factors listed above, and the safety of others.
     
     
  3. Failing to observe posted speed limits. Rivers leading to Lake St. Francis have speed limitations and the O.P.P. have the authority to enforce them.
  
  
• A personal identification number (PIN) is required for trips to the USA. Call U.S. Customs 1-800-562-5943 for more information.

Marine O.P.P. Officers

Sgt. Claude Boileau - 613-632-2799
Const. Pierre Dubois - 613-632-2729
Const. Jay Brodie - 613-534-2223
Const. Harvey Blokland - 613-534-2223