Mandatory safety equipment by boat length (Small Vessel Regulations)
974 words · checked 2026-10-03 · Free
How to use this note
The equipment you must carry depends on boat length and type (powered or sail vs human-powered, and special rules for PWCs). The tables below summarize SVR ss.204-208 for pleasure craft other than human-powered craft. All equipment must be in good working order and readily accessible.
Lifejackets and PFDs (every boat)
- One Canadian-approved PFD or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board (s.204(a)).
- A lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person face-up; a PFD is more comfortable for activities but may not turn you over.
- Inflatable PFDs are approved only for people 16 and older, and are not allowed on PWCs or in whitewater; a PFD or lifejacket for a person under 16 must be inherently buoyant (s.202).
- Non-residents may use their own country's approved PFD (s.212).
Key fact: The law requires carrying one per person; wearing it is what saves lives - most boaters who drown were not wearing one.
Personal life-saving appliances (s.204)
| Length | Required in addition to PFDs |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 m | Buoyant heaving line at least 15 m |
| Over 6 m to 9 m | Buoyant heaving line 15 m or lifebuoy attached to a 15 m buoyant line |
| Over 9 m to 12 m | Buoyant heaving line 15 m and lifebuoy on a 15 m buoyant line |
| Over 12 m to < 24 m | Heaving line 15 m and lifebuoy with a self-igniting light or on a 15 m line |
Every boat also needs a reboarding device (e.g. a ladder) if the height to climb back aboard is more than 0.5 m.
Visual signals (s.205)
| Length | Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 m | Watertight flashlight OR 3 pyrotechnic distress signals (no more than 1 smoke) |
| Over 6 m to 9 m | Watertight flashlight AND 6 pyrotechnic signals (no more than 2 smoke) |
| Over 9 m | Watertight flashlight AND 12 pyrotechnic signals (no more than 6 smoke) |
Exceptions: no visual signals needed for a boat up to 6 m without an engine; no flares needed on a river, canal or lake where you can never be more than 1 nautical mile from shore (s.213). Flares expire 4 years after manufacture (SVR s.20). Over 6 m, flares can be reduced up to 50 % if you carry two-way radio, a 406 MHz PLB worn by the operator, or an EPIRB.
Vessel safety equipment (s.206)
| Length | Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 9 m | Manual propelling device (paddle/oar) or an anchor with at least 15 m of cable, rope or chain; and a bailer or manual bilge pump |
| Over 9 m to 12 m | Anchor with at least 30 m of line; manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping arrangements |
| Over 12 m | Anchor with at least 50 m of line; bilge-pumping arrangements |
A bailer/pump is not required if the boat cannot hold enough water to capsize, or has sealed compartments (s.214).
Navigation equipment (s.207)
| Length | Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 9 m | Sound-signalling device (e.g. whistle or horn); navigation lights if operating between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility; magnetic compass |
| Over 9 m to 12 m | Sound-signalling device; navigation lights (always); magnetic compass |
| Over 12 m | Sound-signalling appliance meeting the Collision Regulations; navigation lights; compass meeting the Navigation Safety Regulations |
A compass is not required for a boat up to 8 m navigating within sight of seamarks (s.215).
Firefighting equipment (s.208)
| Length | Required |
|---|---|
| Up to 6 m | One 5B:C extinguisher if the boat has an inboard engine, a fixed fuel tank, or a fuel-burning cooking/heating/refrigerating appliance |
| Over 6 m to 9 m | One 5B:C if power-driven, plus one 5B:C if it has a fuel-burning appliance |
| Over 9 m to 12 m | One 10B:C if power-driven, plus one 10B:C if it has a fuel-burning appliance |
| Over 12 m to < 24 m | 10B:C extinguishers at each fuel-burning appliance space, accommodation and machinery space entrance; an axe; two buckets |
Classes: A - combustibles; B - flammable liquids; C - electrical. Two smaller approved extinguishers with an equal total rating may replace one larger one (s.217).
Personal watercraft (s.218)
If everyone on board wears a PFD/lifejacket, a PWC needs only: a sound-signalling device; a watertight flashlight or 3 flares (max 1 smoke); a magnetic compass if out of sight of seamarks; and navigation lights if used at night or in restricted visibility.
Human-powered craft (canoes, kayaks, SUPs) (ss.209-211)
PFD/lifejacket for each person (inherently buoyant in whitewater); buoyant heaving line 15 m; reboarding device if needed; bailer or manual pump; sound-signalling device; navigation lights if used at night or in restricted visibility; magnetic compass (unless ≤8 m within sight of seamarks). Over 6 m: also a flashlight and 6 flares.
Worked example
A 5.5 m aluminium fishing boat with a 25 hp outboard and a portable fuel tank, used on a lake by day: PFDs for each person; 15 m buoyant heaving line; reboarding device if freeboard > 0.5 m; watertight flashlight or 3 flares; paddle or anchor with 15 m line; bailer or manual pump; whistle or horn; compass (unless within sight of seamarks). No extinguisher is required (no inboard engine, no fixed tank, no fuel-burning appliance) - though carrying one is wise.
Quick review
- What length of buoyant heaving line is required on a 6 m powerboat? (15 m.)
- A 7 m powerboat needs which extinguisher? (5B:C.)
- Anchor line required on a 10 m boat? (At least 30 m.)
- Can a 14-year-old wear an inflatable PFD to meet the requirement? (No - under 16 needs inherently buoyant.)
- How long are flares valid? (4 years from manufacture.)