2021-Aug-06
It is Illegal to Operate a Private Pleasure Craft as a Commercial Tour Boat
Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety has been noticing an increasing trend whereby private pleasure craft owners are using their vessels commercially as uncertified tour boats. This is another unforeseen result of the pandemic related surge in boating interest that began last summer.
If you do this you are in contravention of the Canada Shipping Act; it is illegal and you will be subject to fines. Pleasure craft are not designed or licensed to be operated as commercial vessels. In order to operate as commercial vessel there are rigorous certification, licensing, and required safety measures that must be followed. Transport Canada advises caution when looking hire a vessel. To ensure a vessel is legal and has the appropriate safety measures in place look for a Transport Canada Blue Decal or certificate or call your local Transport Canada Centre.
Transport Canada recently issued thousands of dollars in fines to an individual for illegally operating a privately owned pleasure craft as an uncertified commercial tour boat. These actions were found to have contributed to a fatal boating incident on Lake Simcoe last summer. Read more here.