Some areas of the world require a pleasure craft operator card when operating a motor powered, marine, vehicle. All owners of recreational watercraft must have the card to be able to get into the water. The size of the craft does not matter. It can be something as small as a one man vehicle. If it is being used for recreation, the card is needed.

The operator card basically shows that the carrier of it is competent to be at sea. They show that they are knowledgeable in certain situations and able to act accordingly. It also shows the holder is educated in nautical terms. Specific nautical terms are the areas of your own boat and directions. Starboard, abaft, the beam, and draft are a few of these must now terms and definitions.

There are many very important rules and regulations that must be known while boating. Collision procedures, allowed speed, certain operations, and restrictions are among these. You have to know the correct speed limits in all areas. Certain restrictions of operations must also be recognized and followed. In the event of a collision, you must know what to do as well.

Steering and sailing rules must be followed. You need to know when to proceed with caution and when to stay out of the way of other vessels. When light and visibility are low, specific colored lights must be turned on to avoid collision. These specific lights are designed to pierce through the low visibility, and they will alert others in the water of your location.

You must take appropriate safety measures. Notify someone on the shore of your destination and when to expect you back. This way they will know that something is wrong if you do not come back. Do not rely on your radio and other equipment, while out at sea, to send a distress message. Make sure that either a friend or family is fully informed about all of your trip plans.

You must be educated in the effective use, and knowledge, of safety equipment. There is a proper way to wear and use items to assist you with floating. Use of fire extinguishers, and the correct way to operate signal flares, can save your life and the lives of others. Emergency actions to follow when there is a man overboard, boat is sinking, and being dead in the water due to a mechanical failure must also be known.

You must know how to navigate by buoy locations. Depending on where they are, and on which side of your boat, you should be able to navigate effectively. Knowledge of reading weather reports, and how to sail in that weather, is very important. Owners of the card must know the warning signs, and the lingo used, when referring to weather. It is very important to your own safety and the safety of your passengers. Rough weather is dangerous and you must know how to deal with, and recognize it.

The requirement for a pleasure craft operator card creates awareness, and promotes safety, while in the water. This keeps you safe by educating you in these many, need to know things. It also keeps other boaters safe, since everyone out in the water is knowledgeable in all these things as well.

Author Bio: Taking the boat on Lake Ontario this weekend? Don\’t get caught without an Ontario boating license. Take time today to complete a boating course, you can take the test online and have a pcoc today.

Category: Recreation
Keywords: boats,boating,recreation,sailing,outdoors,family,travel,fun,leisure,licenses,hobbies,safety,summer,