With spring being well underway, many boaters across our region will be starting to get their boats ready for the 2019 boating season! While seasoned boaters may know the ropes off the back of their hand, many new boaters will also be hitting the water for the first time this year. The brokers at Will Marshall want to make sure that your boating season goes smoothly and without unwanted surprises.
If you’re new to boating this season, be sure to be aware of these tips so that your first season on the water is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Pleasure Craft License
As many in our region are aware, the legal operation of a pleasure craft requires that drivers obtain a pleasure craft license card. This card is obtained after taking a course from an accredited provider, and passing a final test. This course can be taken online or in a classroom environment. The government of Canada website contains a helpful FAQ containing more information concerning this license, when you need it and how you can get it.
Be Sure to Have the Required Safety Equipment
In Canada, the required safety equipment on-board a vessel at any given time depends on the size of the boat. Some of the general items on this list include:
- Life jacket
- Whistle
- Anchor
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
Depending on the size of the boat and whether it is motorized, the law requires certain safety equipment to be on board. Check out this list (pages 16 – 19) to see the specific requirements by boat size and power type.
NEVER Drink While Operating a Boat
Drinking while operating a watercraft is never acceptable nor a good idea. The legalities and penalties incurred for drinking and operating a boat are similar to those for drinking and driving. Keep the beer on the dock!
Make Sure to Have Proper Boating Insurance
Accidents can happen, and it’s better to be protected than not to be when an incident occurs. While smaller watercraft like kayaks and canoes can be covered by your home insurance policy, dedicated policies are generally needed for larger boats with bigger motors, and PWC’s.
Insuring your boat can protect you in the event of any sort of accident. Liability coverage can apply to any passengers on or being towed by your watercraft. Boating insurance can also cover damage to the boat, theft and loss of equipment. Many policies will also cover damage to someone else’s property caused by your boat.
A wide range of factors can have an impact on the insurance policy for your boat, including:
- Size
- Power output
- Value
- Location it is kept / used / stored
- Number and age of operators
Will Marshall Can Help Make Sure Your Coverage Fits Your Needs
Living in and around lake country, we know a thing or two about insuring boats! Our brokers can sit down and help you put together a policy that gives you the coverage you need, so that you can be confident that you will have the support you need if something occurs.
If you’re looking at purchasing a new boat, recently purchased a watercraft or are simply looking for a new boating insurance policy, talk to our expert team today for professional advice that you can trust.
Talk to us today to learn more!