In Saskatchewan, the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), municipal police and conservation officers are responsible for maintaining safe operating conditions on our waterways. They are tasked with upholding and enforcing the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA, 2001) and are permitted to monitor your boating habits and search your vessel to ensure you are boating safely and legally. When an offence is committed, the enforcement officer can lay a charge using the Summary Conviction process and the penalties found in the CSA, 2001 s. 209(2). The boat operator faces fines up to $10,000 for each offence.
Be a responsible captain and review these fines and infractions in the province of Saskatchewan before you head out on the water. Common offences include:
- Violating age / horsepower restrictions – up to $10,000
- Not marking the boat with a valid pleasure craft license number or not having the license paper onboard while underway – up to $10,000
- Boating without having required knowledge or training (i.e.: Pleasure Craft Operator Card –up to $10,000
- Careless boating – up to $10,000
- Underage boating on a PWC (Personal Watercraft) – up to $10,000
- PWCs include: Sea-doos, waterscooters, boatercycles, jet skis, and wave runners
- Equipment is inoperative or inaccessible – up to $10,000
- Unsafe boating – up to $10,000
- No Canadian-approved lifejackets or PFDs on board – up to $10,000
- NOTE: Fine applies to each individual without a floatation device
- Towing individuals without a spotter – up to $10,000
- Towing individuals with no seating space for them in the vessel – up to $10,000
Safe boating is something that is a shared responsibility and these fines are in place to maintain safe waterways in Saskatchewan. Any questions or concerns you have surrounding the fines in your area should be directed to the local enforcement officers or Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety as they will be able to provide in-depth information about the infractions. Smart boaters in Saskatchewan know that the best way to stay safe and avoid the fines is to take a Transport Canada approved boating safety course. The course will teach you how to properly and legally boat in your province, and you get to have some fun at the same time. Take the course and become a certified boater today.