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Print Page Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft

Published in the December 2005 issue of Transportation Notes - View Article

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On September 26, 2005 Transport Canada announced proposed amendments to the Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations which require the operators of recreational motor boats to take a test dealing with various aspects of marine navigation and safety. These amendments are intended to address abuses in the test procedures. At present, tests can be administered over the Internet and it is not possible to determine who is actually answering the questions. Tests have also been administered with inadequate supervision, allowing candidates to obtain assistance from others.

The new Regulations would require course providers to implement a test protocol including rules that a candidate must follow during the test. Control over communication with candidates during testing will be implemented, test sites will have to be owned, leased, occupied or otherwise controlled by the course provider and Transport Canada will have access for monitoring purposes. The number of candidates per person administering a test will not be allowed to exceed 20. Public comment is invited at this stage.