Notes – Weather To Boat – Weather reports and boating safety

Additional Notes

Note 1 – Reboarding Device
A reboarding device is only required if the vertical height that a person must climb to reboard the boat from the water (freeboard) is over 0.5 m (1’8″).

Note 2 – Flares

Flares were previously referred to as Type A, B, C, and D. These terms may still be found in some product literature. The table below explains the relationship.

FORMER TYPE DESIGNATION	NEW DESCRIPTION
Type A	Rocket parachute flare
Type B	Multi-star flare
Type C	Hand flare
Type D	Smoke signal

Flares are not required for a boat that:

is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; or
has no sleeping quarters and is engaged in an official competition or in final preparation for an official competition.

The number of flares required may be reduced by 50 percent (the number of smoke signals cannot exceed 50% of the number of smoke signals given in the tables above) if the boat has one of the following:

A means of two-way communication*;
A 406 MHz personal locator beacon** that is worn by the boat operator; or
A 406 MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacon***

*The means of two-way communication may include a Very High Frequency (VHF) marine radio, a satellite telephone or a cellular telephone (if the VHF radio or the cellular telephone is located in a coverage area.)

** A 406 MHz personal locator beacon (PLB) must meet the requirements under the Radiocommunication Act. All Canadian coded PLBs should be registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry at https://www.cbr-rcb.ca/cbr/ or by calling 1-877-406- 7671 (toll free). Registering a beacon is free of charge. Canadian coded beacons cannot be registered elsewhere.

***A 406 MHz emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) must meet the requirements of the Ship Station Radio Technical Regulations and must also be registered with the Canadian Beacon Registry. See above.

Ensuring that your 406 MHz PLB, or EPIRB is registered, as well as updating the information regularly, will facilitate the task for search and rescue personnel in the event of a distress situation.

For further information regarding VHF radios or EPIRBS please visit:
https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-navigation-radiocomms-faqs-1489.htm

Note 3 – Bailer and Manual Bilge Pump
A bailer or manual bilge pump is not required for a boat that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a boat that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible.

Note 4 – Navigation Lights
Navigation lights are only required if you operate the boat after sunset, before sunrise or in periods of restricted visibility (fog, falling snow, etc.).

Note 5 – Magnetic Compass
A magnetic compass is not required if the boat is 8m (26’3″) or less and you operate it within sight of navigation marks.

Note 6 – Radar Reflectors
Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65’7″) and boats built of mostly non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required IF the boat is used in limited traffic conditions, daylight and favourable environmental conditions, and where having a radar reflector is not essential to the boat’s safety; OR the small size of the boat or its operation away from radar navigation makes it impossible to install or use a radar reflector.

Note 6 – Radar Reflectors

Radar reflectors are required for boats under 20 m (65’7″) and boats built of mostly non-metallic materials. A radar reflector is not required

the boat is used in limited traffic conditions, daylight and favourable environmental conditions, and where having a radar reflector is not essential to the boat’s safety;

the small size of the boat or its operation away from radar navigation makes it impossible to install or use a radar reflector.