Recreational Vessel Courtesy Check (RVCC)

A Recreational Vessel Courtesy Check is a FREE service provided by Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, on behalf of Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety.

The objective of the Recreational Vessel Courtesy Check program is to advise and improve your safety and enjoyment while on the water. It is done to assist you, the owner/operator of a small craft in maintaining your vessel’s safety equipment at standards acceptable to the marine environment.

At your request, a trained member of CPS will board your vessel and conduct a thorough check of all the safety equipment required to be carried on board according to the Canada Shipping Act, Small Vessel Regulations and Collision Regulations. The Check includes making sure the equipment is present and in good working condition. As well, a check of optional safety and navigational equipment will be carried out.

A Recreational Vessel Courtesy Check can take from 15 to 30 minutes for a small vessel and from 30 minutes to one hour for a larger vessel, depending on the amount and condition of equipment on board, and your interest in safety.

If your boat's equipment is complete, you'll be given a sticker which your boat can wear proudly to show that her owner is a responsible boater for whom safety is paramount.

Should the volunteer who does the courtesy inspection for you find anything missing, he/she will let you know. You can then bring the boat up to regulations and obtain the sticker upon a re-examination. More importantly, carrying the proper equipment could save your life!

As a matter of interest, information recorded by the inspector includes only data for statistical purposes. Your name is not recorded, nor anything which could identify you. No official agency receives any of your personal information.

The law requires carriage of the prescribed safety equipment. If you should be boarded by RCMP or any enforcement officer and found deficient, there will be expensive consequences.

Your participation in the Recreational Vessel Courtesy Check program shows that you are a responsible boater who cares for those on board your vessel. For a list of the equipment required to be carried on board refer to your copy of Transport Canada's Safe Boating Guide or online at http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/tp/tp511/.

For further information or to make arrangements for an appointment for your RVCC, contact Emanuel (Mannie) Laufer at 477-8770 or eelaufer@eastlink.ca.