OTTAWA, April 14, 2010 /Canada NewsWire Telbec/ - As boaters across Canada prepare to start their boating season, law enforcement officers across the country prepare to hand out hefty fines of no less than $250 to an estimated 6 million boaters in Canada who still don't have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
After a 10 year federal law phase in period, the deadline for all Canadian boat operators to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card arrived last fall. This boating season marks the first year where ALL boaters in the country, regardless of age, need an Operator Card, commonly referred to as a boating license, or they risk expensive fines if caught without it.
"Boaters who have waited to the last minute, can still get certified and be legal in time for boating season by taking the exam online at www.BoaterExam.com that is open for business 24/7," says Robert Dupel, spokesperson for BoaterExam.com.
To get the card, boaters must pass a 36 question, multiple-choice exam with a 75% passing grade, a temporary card can be printed immediately upon passing, the permanent card is mailed and is good-for-life.
Boaters may also take a safe boating classroom course where they will learn the boating basics and also get certified upon passing the exam. A complete listing of upcoming courses across Canada is available online at www.BoaterExam.com
Common misconceptions about this law are that children must be 16 yrs to get certified and that seniors over 65 yrs don't require the card. This law applies to boaters of all ages; there are no age exemptions or minimum age to get certified. Others think that you don't need the card if your motor is less than 10 horsepower, but in fact it's needed to operate any size motor, even an electric motor on a canoe for example.
Boaters who have lost their Card can also check with BoaterExam.com to verify their name is on file and obtain a replacement Card before they get out on the water. "BoaterExam.com's national database of boaters, the largest in the country, is the first place boaters should look if they have lost their card," says Dupel.
BoaterExam.com is a Transport Canada Accredited Course Provider, the largest course provider in the country and offers boaters various ways to get certified; online, in class or home study in both official languages. For more information visit their Official site www.BoaterExam.com or call their Boating Safety Info Line Toll Free 1-866-688-2628, open from 9am to midnight EST daily.
