Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rodney on June 03, 2011, 06:48:30 PM
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http://www.boaterexam.com/canada
Finally took the time last week to do this. :P The entire process is not short. The course took about three hours to go through, dry most of the time but some parts were really useful. The exam wasn't too hard, managed to get just over 80%. Whether you agree with it or not, you should get it before taking your boat out as both the CO and RCMP officers will be checking for it. The fine is $250 if you are caught without one. :o
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Just over 80% ???? That is scary, you should get a $250 fine for that score. Don't ask to borrow my boats.
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Rodney.It just galls me to have to pay for this boat operating ticket when I have been been operating power boats since I was 16.I am now 61.Was a fishing guide for many years in Campbell River.Have worked on troller and prawn boats in the commercial sector.I now have a 10 footer powered by oars.Don't need a permit.I can fill up my Sammy for the 50 bucks I would give them.
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So do I need one. I am renting one at a lake this summer. It's a 9.9 horse restriction
Do I need one or is it not needed cause it's a rental???
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Just over 80% ???? That is scary, you should get a $250 fine for that score. Don't ask to borrow my boats.
Yep, I don't even trust myself in my boat. ;)
Rodney.It just galls me to have to pay for this boat operating ticket when I have been been operating power boats since I was 16.I am now 61.Was a fishing guide for many years in Campbell River.Have worked on troller and prawn boats in the commercial sector.I now have a 10 footer powered by oars.Don't need a permit.I can fill up my Sammy for the 50 bucks I would give them.
Yep, "why do I need one??" was pretty much the question I kept asking when I went through it, but I got one because I'm afraid of getting a fine.
So do I need one. I am renting one at a lake this summer. It's a 9.9 horse restriction
Do I need one or is it not needed cause it's a rental???
From the above website.
"Currently, a Pleasure Craft Operator Card is not required in order to operate a rented watercraft. Instead, it is sufficient for a renter to complete a rental safety checklist. Take note however that some companies have made it their corporate policy to require renters to have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card."
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Got mine a few years ago, after i was stopped in victoria harbor going to check the crab pots... had to pay the fine, but did the test that evening, its a real easy test... although as of september of last year it has more questions now, best to just get it done and over with, the fine isnt worth it.
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I took the test at the boat show, got 3 questions wrong, and got my card last month. For all those old timers, perhaps boaters could be subjected to a "boat side exam" if they cannot produce a card, and if they pass then they do not need to pay the fine, but if they do not pass then they have to pay double the fine.
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Just over 80% ???? That is scary, you should get a $250 fine for that score. Don't ask to borrow my boats.
I think I have seen a few pics of your boats. You can keep them.....
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Rodney congrads on getting your card ! :)
Nothing wrong with getting over 80% ...thats a B or B plus grade when I went to school in the 1960's/70's.
Plus some of the questions seem to have in some cases 2 correct answers out of the four choices...(tricky)
Nice to have bumped into yous tonight at Gerry Point Park & pleasure to have meet Nina for the 1st time.
Without making your HEADS FAT...you both are really nice people & a great looking couple.
.........boating can be very very fun & really got into it ONLY because of my dad. If it was up to me I'd never own a boat BUT since my dad wanted to go boating we got one...Seems as a father & son we've always had boats from cartoppers to 21 ft inboard to a few runabouts....Must say WE HAVE HAD SO MUCH FUN & ADVENTURE (sometimes heart beating times...Fraser R & Sandheads has a way to get your attention on certain days) We have found the 16ft Arima to be just a great versitile safe boat & very stable.
By the way Rod & Nina did find my wife Daisy about 8 minutes after talking with yous. Earlier as I had a conversation with a chap...she went to the main washrms..."nature calls"...as I searched finally seen her near the popcorn stand area....
What a beautiful evening with the SUN finally out & the "tall ships" in port etc...
Assume ya got yourself a boat Rodney as ya got your boat operator's lic...if ya go on the Fraser ...high steady tide & not too much wind & keep a sharp eye out for debris in the water.
If people can't make it to Steveston this weekend for the "tall ships" music in the park..they can watch the CTV local news as they will be reporting alot about the festivities.
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The best kind of money grab there is, make it illegal not to have to pay for the little piece of paper, or pay again if your caught with out it. :P
It really burned me when I had to get it to operate an 8ft boat with a little electric for fishing small lakes.
From the web site...
Classroom Courses
With the increase from 36 to 50 questions, boaters can benefit from taking the BOATsmart! Classroom Course. Combining 3 hours of instruction with the official Pleasure Craft Operator Card exam, courses are available to boaters across Canada
Now get down there and spend more money with them, before its mandatory to spend $500.00 (+HST of course) when they convince transport Canada to make it illegal not to attend...
Sorry for the rant...Congrats Rod!!!! Its piece of mind for sure
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I think I have seen a few pics of your boats. You can keep them.....
I meant you can ask to use them. I just won't lend them to you. Sorry about that.
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Rodney, thanks for reminding everyone that they need their boater's operaters card at all times, under all circumctances. Personally I do feel it is mostly a money grab type scenario but what can ya do....imo it should be mandatory for operators of boats over 25 feet or so.
I'd like to remind everyone also to keep enough life jackets and mandatory equipment in the boat as well.
Was nailed today out on Nicola for no life jacket. 230$ fine for no life jacket. plus warnings for each peice of equipment. anchored 100 yds from boat launch on glass calm water enjoying the day in my 14 footer, only boat in sight...was checked by a couple officer's, apparently I was lucky as they made it clear they could have given me over a thousand dollars in fines for not having apparently mandatory equipment such as;
-Flashlight
-bailing bucket
-floating rope
-whistle
each peice of equipment is a 230 fine. personally, I found this a little hard to swallow, but it is what it is...so, just a reminder to everyone out their to have all mandatory equipment or you could face hefty fines.
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Is there a list somewhere with all the mandatory equipment?
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So how do they collect the fines? Its not like a drivers licence where when you go and get insurance your forced to pay before renewing.
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I was told I had to pay the fine for no life jacket within 30 days at a local motor vehicle branch, where you'd pay a traffic fine...
Was also told if I didn't pay within the 30 days a collection agency would be used to collect it.
Personally, I would've gone with a warning for no lfe jacket but in the end, it's their call. Everyone just take the time to find out what's required and have it with you. Valid boater's and fishing licenses aren't the only thing they can nail you on....seems like alot of discretion however . also the floating rope has to be atleast 50 feet long...45 feet and you take the risk of a 230 $ fine ::)
I was also told they were really stepping up enforcement, I thought to myself if they really wanted to make a difference they'd go to Roche or a popular lake and send the message to the hords that they're stepping up enforcement, instead of the only boat on a huge body of water.
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The requirements can be found here:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-equipment-size-less6m-1791.htm (http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-equipment-size-less6m-1791.htm)
The fines, like most, are "voluntary" fines and the next time you are stopped and checked, you could be facing a more serious penalty for having failed to pay your previous fine. You are charged the fine under the Canada Shipping Act (the enabling Act) and the unpaid fine is a "debt to the Crown," and as such it is also subject to "reasonable expenses incurred in attempting to recover an amount [of debt]". So you could play roulette and hope to never get stopped again, or you could pay your fine and save yourself having to pay considerably more should you be unlucky and get checked again.
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I was also told they were really stepping up enforcement, I thought to myself if they really wanted to make a difference they'd go to Roche or a popular lake and send the message to the hords that they're stepping up enforcement, instead of the only boat on a huge body of water.
C'mon wizard...Nicola is not a "popular" lake for boaters? It is also right on the highway (easy for them to get out on, unlike the drive into a lake like Roche or Tunkwa). It is also a larger lake (windier.. and more likely to be out more than a km from shore). Furthermore, what were you doing out on Nicola without a life jacket? The glass calm and only 100 meters from the launch is a pretty weak excuse. That lake can get whipped up fast and many drowning deaths occur within sight of land. I think you were right and they let you off easy. You have got to take better care of yourself.
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This has been in the works for years....If you've taken the time to get the card but don't know the gear you are required to have let alone don't have a life jacket on board,you deserve to get a fine.Some pretty basic common sense issues here.The basic stuff is not hard to come by or expensive.....$10 at Crappy Tire for a kit with bailer/ whistlle/rope/flashlight(more is required depending o your boat) .Pfds are not expensive either.If I'm not mistaken the safe boating booklet is available free alongside the fishing regs in tackle shops and sporting goods depts.
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sandman you're right...self admitted sour grapes on my part. I just thought a warning would've sufficed under the circumstances, but like I said, they're just doing their job and I hope they do step up enforcement effectively and efficiently. I'd just like to see a little more enforcement on heavily used fishing lakes where enfractions like I was given and easily more serious enfractions could've been given to dozens of people at any point, including many many many operating a motor boat while empaired, that's all. (sour grapes again, I think? ;))
As for what I was doing without a lifejacket on Nicola, it is my responsibility in the end, I left it at home without thinking about it, now I must buck up 230 bills. And I hope everyone reading this will take the time to always have a good quality lifejacket and all the necessary equipment.
Happy and safe boating to all! Don't let it happen to you.
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If you don't know the required equipment for various lengths of boats, you should take the boater's course.
I thought it would be a waste of time but I'm glad I took the course, learned a couple of things I did not know. Anything that improves safety is worthwhile doing. As the operator of the boat you are responsible for all souls aboard. If you don't have your card do yourself and others a favor and take the course. If you learn nothing it's only a few evenings of your time, but I'd bet you'd learn at least one thing to make you a safer boater.
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Do they still offer the free online study guide?
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Is a pontoon boat with an electric 30 lb trust motor governed by these regulations?
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Is a pontoon boat with an electric 30 lb trust motor governed by these regulations?
If your wearing a life jacket you should only need a whistle and flashlight, but who knows they might all so say you need the rest of the gear even though a bailer would be useless. Anyway you need the operator licence. Just do good on the test.
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Is a pontoon boat with an electric 30 lb trust motor governed by these regulations?
Yes, and the regulations for human powered vessels (canoes, kayaks, rowboats) are almost identical to powered vessels under 6m anyway.
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I found it fairly usefull ( I grew up commercial fishing on a Seine boat.) :o
My only gripe would be that when you answer a question ,you can't move on but have to wait the minute or two or THREE to expire before you can move on.(too time consuming) IMO
Tight lines and safe boating
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Three years ago, I took the course, wrote the exam, had only one wrong , got my card, a couple of months later at the boat show, my wife walks in and not having studied , writes the exam. We both have our cards...........
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Have any of you used the boatsmartexam.com site? Still gets you a valid card. Relatively the same information?
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Have any of you used the boatsmartexam.com site? Still gets you a valid card. Relatively the same information?
I had actually used that site to register for the exam, and read their study guide, but never found anyone to be my cha'dich. When I took the exam at the boat show a few months later I had my fees refunded by BoatSmart.
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I got my Captains licence in 1990, the things I had to do to get it were, get a medical, and eye examination, write a exam and then I had a fellow from oceans and fisheries out of Montreal come up and give me a practical exam aboard the vessel I would be operating (50 foot). Even though I have a captains licence I still had to get my boaters card ??? Worst 50.00 I ever spent, the test was a joke. I took my 12 year old nephew to get his boaters card last summer and he passed on his first try with only one wrong a (trick question). But I can understand why they make people take it because some of the things I have seen and still see today out on the water just baffles me. Common sense isn't very common any more. Up until maybe 7 or 8 years ago if you were fined for no life jacket while boating you had to go to court to pay your fine and stand in front of a judge who would scold you like a little boy in front of a full court room. That would be very humiliating I would think, alot worse then the fine itself.
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I got mine last year...
Only problem is I can't find it now ::) Do you have to have it on you or can they look you up when you get checked?
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Are there any groups in Canada who are except from the exam?
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I got mine last year...
Only problem is I can't find it now ::) Do you have to have it on you or can they look you up when you get checked?
They can't look it up as there is no database that is quickly accessible. That is one of reasons why some groups are so against it. You should get a new card from the company you did it with.
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They can't look it up as there is no database that is quickly accessible. That is one of reasons why some groups are so against it. You should get a new card from the company you did it with.
I did it online.
Will have to see if I can print off a temporary one
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A friend needs to do his.
Does anybody have a discount code? Mine has expired
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A friend needs to do his.
Does anybody have a discount code? Mine has expired
Try this http://www.boatsmartexam.com/EN/promos/promoBSC873.cfm?gclid=CNGq9JutsakCFcsZQgodvCDpLg
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Use discount code S99TCU and you will get $10.00 off at www.boaterexam.com
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thanks guys