Boater Information

Volunteers Teaching Safe Boating!

Sarnia is located in Ontario, Canada on the border with the United States and across the Bluewater Bridge from Port Huron, Michigan. Members of Sarnia Power and Sail Squadron boat out of the communities of Brights Grove, Camlachie, Corunna, Forest, Grand Bend, Mooretown, Petrolia, Point Edward, Port Franks, Sarnia, Wyoming, Strathroy and much of Lambton County. Whether powerboat, sailboat, personal watercraft, jet boat or paddler, Sarnia Squadron Members are often found boating on Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake St. Clair as well as the Detroit River and St. Clair River. Others cruise to the North Channel, Georgian Bay, the Trent-Severn Waterway and Lake Ontario. Local marine facilities to Sarnia include: Bridgeview Yachting Centre, Sarnia Bay Marina, Sarnia Yacht Club and Lake Huron Yachts.

Sarnia Squadron

Weather Centre

Sarnia Squadron

Special Feature

Boater Information - FAQs

Do You Have Your Required Safety Equipment?

Do You Have Your Pleasure Craft Operators Card?

Do You Have Your Restricted Operator's Certificate (Maritime) For VHF Radio Operation?

Do You Have Your Canadian Vessel Plate?

Is Your Boat Properly Licensed?

Have You Read The Safe Boating Guide?

Is Your Boat Properly Rigged for Handling of Grey and Black Water?

If you are a reside outside of Canada and will be boating in Canadian waters, are you aware of the requirements for Foreign Recreational Boaters?

How Do I .......?

Become a Member:

We would be happy for you to join us at Sarnia Squadron as a member of CPS. You may become a member or associate member by successfully competing The Boating Course or the Boat Pro Seminar series. For more details, please contact: .

Take a Course from CPS:

All CPS-ECP Courses are provided by Sarnia Squadron but their schedule will depend on local demand each season. The Boating Course is run every Fall and Winter. You may contact: .

You may also be interested in our online distance learning centre, please contact our Open Learning Centre.

Get a "Pleasure Craft Operator's Card" (PCOC):

If you have already passed CPS-ECP's "The Boating Course"
If you wish to take CPS-ECP's "The Boating Course"
If you wish to take CPS-ECP's "Boat Pro Seminars"
If you wish to challenge the PCOC Exam "PCOC Challenge"

For more details on obtaining your PCOC, please contact: .

What are the regulations regarding PCOCs?

You require your Card now if you operate a motorized boat and:

You were born after April 1, 1983 or
The boat is under 13.1 feet (4 metres) in length (including personal watercraft).

All operators of motorized boats require their Card by September 15, 2009.

These requirements apply in areas outside the Northwest and Nunavut Territories at this time.

Note to our American friends: Also applies to non-residents of Canada and whose pleasure craft is in Canada more than 45 consecutive days. Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.

Even with your card, the following regulations apply:

Persons under 12 years of age who are not directly supervised shall not operate a boat with an engine larger than 10 hp (7.5 KW)**
Persons between 12 and 16 years of age and not directly supervised shall not operate a boat with an engine larger than 40 hp (30 KW)**
Persons under 16 years of age shall not operate a PWC (Personal Watercraft)

** Directly supervised means accompanied and directly supervised by a person 16 years of age or older.

For more information, watch the PCOC movie: Requirements for PCOC

(Requires RealOne Video, free download)

Get a "Restricted Operators Certificate (Maritime)" (ROC (M)) to Operate a VHF Radio:

If you wish to take the Maritime Radio seminar to prepare for the ROC (M) examination.
If you already have a Restricted Operators Certificate (Maritime) and wish to have a new laminated card.

Receive Sarnia Squadron's Newsletter "Heave To" by e-mail: