CANADIAN COAST GUARD (CCG) NOTICE - New regulations are designed to “clean up” the Pleasure Craft Operator's Card (PCOC) business. Attached are 2 Interpretation Bulletins, A policy Decision and a News Release from the Coast Guard, describing how the new CCG regulations are fixing the PCOC process. Listed below is a brief summary of each issue and the key requirments. Please email me if you want the detailed copy from the CCG.
Interpretation Bulletin #0012 issued on December 17th 2001. This deals with “Proctoring” examinations. The key requirements to note are:
| Clarifies our obligations in “Proctoring” and procedures |
| All conditions outlined must be met |
| Test supervisor's sole duty is to supervise – no marking while supervising |
| People writing tests must be in clear sight at all times |
| The boat safety course must include all 149 knowledge points |
| “Pay If You Pass is an unacceptable practice” |
| Individuals taking a test must show one piece of photo ID or two other pieces |
Interpretation Bulletin #0013 also issued on December 17th 2001. This deals with “Monitoring Policy”. The key requirements to note are:
| Coast Guard “Monitors” announced or unannounced, can randomly join the session |
| If they observe an instance of “non-compliance” they can report the instance |
| They can recommend suspension of accreditation |
The third Coast Guard document is a “Policy Decision on Training”, Ref #0009, again issued on December 17th 2001. The key requirements to note are:
| CCG did not identify any time frame for course delivery (teaching duration) |
| All 149 knowledge points must be covered |
Finally, there is a News Release, just received and with an official issue date of July 2, 2002. The key points to note here are:
| “Now three years old, the regulations were in need of amendments to make them stronger and easier to enforce…” said the Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. |
| Parents bear responsibility for their children’s compliance |
| Greater “monitoring” will improve standards |
This notification has been placed here to for sail instructors as they may not have read the Bulletins and Policy Decisions from December 17th. The Coast Guard has put the new, more rigid requirements in place and has given the industry sufficient time to react and adjust so that enforcement of these new standards can now commence.
“Pay If You Pass” and Internet services where there is no control over “Proctoring” has greatly undermined the PCOC program. The government realizes this and further decisions and bulletins will be issued soon, again to give more rigid control, clearly intended to bring a higher level of professionalism to the PCOC program and very important to us, to require education.
Watch for other important announcements, new CYA Operator’s Card materials and marketing assistance, coming this summer.
Sincerely
Andrew A.W. (Andy) Adams
Marketing Communications
Canadian Yachting Association
Cell: 416-574-7313
Kingston: 613-574-7313
1-877-416-4720
(end of notice)
News Release
NR-HQ-02-69E |
July 2, 2002 |
AMENDMENTS GIVE BITE TO SAFE BOATING REGULATIONS |
OTTAWA -- Advice from the Canadian boating community has prompted amendments to the boating safety regulations that were introduced in 1999.
“Now three years old, the regulations were in need of amendments to make them stronger and easier to enforce,” said the Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “Canadian boaters worked with the Canadian Coast Guard to identify where those improvements were needed.”
A first set of amendments, introduced earlier this year and now in effect, strengthened the regulations by providing the peace officers with more effective means to enforce the regulations.
The Canadian Coast Guard is now able to intervene when it is believed that a boating safety course, accredited by the Canadian Coast Guard, is not being delivered according to criteria set out in the regulations. In addition, changes mean that parents will now bear the responsibility of compliance should their children violate the regulations.
A second set of amendments, now being developed in consultation with stakeholders, will also provide the Coast Guard with a greater monitoring role over the delivery of courses and exams, and improve the standards used by the Canadian Coast Guard to accredit boating safety courses and exams. The proposed amendments would also help the Coast Guard build and manage a boating safety database required for enforcement agencies.
The proposed amendments are expected to be in place next year.
The safe boating regulations, in effect since April 1, 1999, establish a phase-in period for recreational boaters to obtain proof of competency, which demonstrates that they have the basic knowledge to operate a motorized pleasure craft safely. The first phase made it mandatory for boaters born after April 1, 1983 to carry proof of competency.
Phase II, in effect on September 15, 2002 requires that all operators of motorized recreational vessels under 4 meters carry a proof of competency. By September 15, 2009, all boaters will be required to carry proof of competency.
Proof of competency can mean one of three things: that an operator competency card has been acquired after successfully passing a test given by an accredited course provider; that a safe boating course was successfully completed prior to April 1, 1999; or that a safety checklist was completed for a rented motorized boat strictly for that rental period.
Boating safety regulations were introduced in 1999 in response to pressure from the boating community for stricter safety measures on the water.
To obtain more information about taking a Canadian Coast Guard accredited boating safety course and obtaining a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, visit www.coast-guard.gc.ca or call 1-800-267-6687.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
|
Sophie
Galarneau |
Jennifer
Savoy |