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Posts: 458
| Hi Everyone,
I am taking my boat up into Ontario for a few days of fishing and wanted to see if anyone knew about the following questions or where I could find out:
1)To cross the border with your boat do you need any forms filled out or specific info?
2)Do I need a “pleasure craft operator” license? In this link I don’t think I need one because I will be less than 45 days? Not sure.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/debs-obs-quick-quick_visitor-1...
3)If I have all the safety equipment that is required in the US do I need anything
special for Ontario?
4)Other than no alcohol in the boat is there anything else I need to know?
5) Do I need any special license for my VHF radio?
Edited by edalz 6/23/2010 11:55 AM
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Posts: 32
| Unless something has changed I have crossed the border each of the last three seasons and have not needed to do anything special. |
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| I have been crossing for 10 years and never been asked for anything.
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Posts: 153
| I have crossed numerous times over the years and have never been asked for any of the info originally posted. If you are the lucky one they may search your vehicle/boat which is a hassle but if you are not hiding anything you will have no problems. |
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Posts: 518
Location: Cave Run Lake KY. | Years ago you could not use a C B radio or a fuzzbuster radar detector device in you auto. I don't know about the C.B. we don't use them any more and we just disconnect the buster in Ontario. In the boat they don't seem interested in anything in it. We never do anything to ****off the customs as they can ruin your day if they want to. One new thing you need is a Passport or a Passport Card. I got the card as thats all I need. I Have been fishing Canadian waters for 50 years and never had any real real problem with Crossing the border. WE fished Sandy's back in the 60's in a 14' boat with a 15 HP. motor, with a green box, a compass, and a map. That was some fun. Take Care Marv. |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | It is a new requirement as of last September to have a pleasure craft operator card. I am not sure if you require one specifically for Canada, but it is mandatory to carry one as you operate your craft. Not sure how strict this will be for you US guys though. Might be something you want to confirm before you travel. Lifetime license only cost $55 and can be done over the internet at http://www.boaterexam.com/canada/ |
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Posts: 69
| That's a new one. I doubt any US guys will have one. I sure didn't hear about this. |
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| FYI, while that's a mandatory program, it's not run by the government and prices can be set by whatever the people giving the test ask for. Lots of people give the test, lodge owners, fly-in operators, etc. |
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Posts: 897
| The pleasure craft operator card only applies to U.S. residents who are going to be boating in Canada for 45 or more days per year or something like that. 99% of people going up to Canada for a fishing trip do not need it. This has been discussed previously. Read the law. |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | whynot - 6/23/2010 9:46 PM
The pleasure craft operator card only applies to U.S. residents who are going to be boating in Canada for 45 or more days per year or something like that. 99% of people going up to Canada for a fishing trip do not need it. This has been discussed previously. Read the law.
Cool, I didn't know that. |
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Posts: 897
| From the link provided above...
"Operator Competency Requirements
The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require that all operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor have proof of competency and proof of age on board at all times.
The Regulations are being phased in as follows:
All operators born after April 1, 1983 are required to have proof of competency since 1999.
As of September 15, 2002, all operators of craft of less than 4 m (13'1") in length, including personal watercraft, will be required to have proof of competency.
As of September 15, 2009, all operators will be required to have proof of competency.
How the Regulations Apply to Non-Residents
The Regulations apply to non-residents:
If they operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for more than 45 consecutive days or,
If they operate a pleasure craft that is licensed or registered in Canada (including rented or chartered boats).
The Regulations do not apply to non-residents who operate their pleasure craft in Canadian waters for less than 45 consecutive days. Please note that a proof of residence will be required on board at all times.
Acceptable Proof of Competency for Non-Residents
For non-residents, proof of competency can take one of three forms:
A Canadian-issued pleasure craft operator card.
A completed boat rental safety check-list (for power-driven rental boats).
An operator card or equivalent that meets the requirements of their state or country."
So, the only way you need the card or proof of competency is if you are up there for 45 consecutive days.
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Posts: 462
Location: Antioch, IL | whynot - 6/24/2010 9:06 AM
... So, the only way you need the card or proof of competency is if you are up there for 45 consecutive days.
Boy, I sure wish I needed one of those cards. |
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| whynot - 6/24/2010 9:06 AM
So, the only way you need the card or proof of competency is if you are up there for 45 consecutive days.
Or anyone using a lodge boat. Anyone operating a boat at a remote, flyin, portage, etc. site. |
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Posts: 51
| I thought you need a floating flashlight |
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Posts: 247
Location: Uxbridge Ontario | So, if you bring your own boat from the US, you do not need a card unless here for more than 45 consecutive days. BUT, if you rent a boat from a Canadian lodge, you are required to have one.
Make sure to have proof of foreign residency (like a drivers license). |
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Posts: 968
Location: N.FIB | I was told by green island lodge at the milwaukee show that if we were to operate a boat without a guide that we would need that card.I thought he was pulling my chain since we didn`t need one 5-6 yrs ago when we were there. |
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Posts: 897
| WNLI - 6/24/2010 1:17 PM
whynot - 6/24/2010 9:06 AM
So, the only way you need the card or proof of competency is if you are up there for 45 consecutive days.
Or anyone using a lodge boat. Anyone operating a boat at a remote, flyin, portage, etc. site.
my answer was addressed to the guy bringing his own boat up who asked the question...but yes, if you use a rental boat you need proof of competency, which you can get in most states by taking an online or mail in course. |
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| not sure how much they look for it and cant qoute regs cuz I couldnt find boating regs book but from memory a few special items listed for craft over 16 feet are: a paddle or oar, bailing device, whistle or horn,a throwable floatation with attached 50 feet of rope. |
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Posts: 40
Location: Canada, Eh! | some false info in this thread.
1st, mandatory operator's cards are a new thing (Sept '09, essentially every canadian resident with a powerboat requires one). the card itself was introduced many years ago but it was not mandatory.
if you are bringing your own boat and your state has a similar boaters' competency card, bring it -- it will be valid. if your state does not, you do not need anything.
if you are renting you don't need anything. the lodge owner will make you read and sign a waiver that you understand the rules of the water -- "A completed boat rental safety check-list (for power-driven rental boats). " in whynots post. cdn residents who rent do not need an operators card either.
as far as safety gear, once again, i believe you need to be legal for the state you are from and have proof of residency there. uscg and ccg rules are very similar anyway and you are all likely 'legal' anyway.
Edited by boost 7/7/2010 11:28 AM
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Posts: 8773
| edalz - 6/23/2010 11:47 AM
[...]
4)Other than no alcohol in the boat is there anything else I need to know?
[...]
You can't bring handguns into Canada, so if you ususally keep one in your truck, take it out before you go. I am not sure what would happen if you forgot, but I can bet you it wouldn't be good! |
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Posts: 548
Location: MN | esoxaddict - 7/7/2010 12:39 PM
edalz - 6/23/2010 11:47 AM
[...]
4)Other than no alcohol in the boat is there anything else I need to know?
[...]
You can't bring handguns into Canada, so if you ususally keep one in your truck, take it out before you go. I am not sure what would happen if you forgot, but I can bet you it wouldn't be good!
I was at the International Falls MN crossing when a guy from Texas tried to cross the border with a hand gun...... he actually argued with the customs officers about it. He was escorted inside. Didn't see what happeded after that. Crossed and kept going.
Nick |
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Posts: 518
Location: Cave Run Lake KY. | Police Chief was stoped at bordor, when ask about guns he said yes he had one. They made him leave it at the border till he came back from his fishing trip. |
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