PCOC card

Who needs to have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
"ALL" Operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes will be required to have proof of competency on board at all times By September 15, 2009.

What does "proof of competency" mean?
"Proof Of Competency", means having successfully completed a "Boating safety course" in Canada prior to April 1, 1999, OR a "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" issued following the successful completion of a Canadian Coast Guard accredited test.

Who needs the PCO "CARD" now?
"ALL" Operators of pleasure craft (less than 4 metres or 14 Ft.) fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes including Personal Watercraft need the "CARD" now. "ALL" Operators of pleasure craft born after March 31, 1983 need the "CARD" now. "ALL" other boaters, regardless of age and wishing to operate any pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes MUST obtain the "CARD" no later than September 15, 2009.

What is the requirement for obtaining a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
You must earn at least 75% on a 36-question multiple-choice examination, which has been accredited by Canadian Coast Guard, and written under properly supervised conditions.

How does one go about obtaining a Pleasure Craft Operator Card?
The Montreal Squadron provides instruction in either of the following two Courses, either of which are intended to earn you the Canadian Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator Card.

The Boat Pro Course
This Canadian Coast Guard accredited and approved safety course, provides all the information needed to pass the C.C.G. examination required to obtain the Federal Government's mandatory Pleasure Craft Operator's Card (PCOC). It’s also a great introduction to the expanded boating safety and navigation information available in the Boating Course.

The Boating Course
This course provides a more detailed and expanded version of the Safety information found in the Boat-Pro course as well as Plotting and Navigation Instruction. Both Courses include instruction, course materials, examination, Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) application, and the "CARD" itself when the 36-question multiple-choice examination is passed.

Are all "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" providers recognized in the United States?
No, only one provider of the approximately 152 "Pleasure Craft Operator Card" providers is recognized by the one Association that represents the boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories and that provider is The Canadian Power and Sale Squadrons. CPS, along with the United States Power Squadrons are Associate Members of NASBLA, the acronym for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. If your CPS "CARD" is lost or stolen, a small fee will be charged and a new CARD will be issued from the information that is maintained on our data base. By the way we were teaching boating safety and education 60 years before the "CARD" came into existence.