Navigation Rules on Canadian Inland Waters

Canada's navigation rules for pleasure craft are set out in the Collision Regulations (SOR/83-33), which implement the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) with minor Canadian-specific modifications. These rules apply to all vessels on Canadian navigable waters — commercial ships, small motorboats, and kayaks alike. Understanding them reduces collision risk and is a testable subject on the Pleasure Craft Operator Card exam.

The Hierarchy of Vessels

When two vessels are on converging courses, one is designated the "stand-on" vessel (maintains course and speed) and the other is the "give-way" vessel (alters course, slows, or stops to avoid collision). The basic hierarchy, from highest priority (most likely to be stand-on) to lowest, is:

1. Vessels not under command — unable to manoeuvre due to exceptional circumstances
2. Vessels restricted in ability to manoeuvre — dredges, cable-laying vessels, vessels engaged in diving operations
3. Vessels constrained by draft — large commercial vessels in shallow channels
4. Vessels engaged in fishing — with nets or trawls deployed
5. Sailing vessels — under sail only, no engine in use
6. Power-driven vessels — motorboats, PWC, motorized pleasure craft
7. Seaplanes

In practice for most inland recreational boaters, the relevant interaction is between power-driven vessels and between power and sailing vessels. A sailboat under sail (no motor running) has right-of-way over a motorboat in most situations. If the sailboat is motoring, it is treated as a power-driven vessel.

Meeting, Crossing, and Overtaking

Head-On Situation

When two power-driven vessels approach each other head-on or nearly head-on, both are give-way vessels. Each should alter course to starboard (right) to pass port-to-port. A short blast on the horn signals "I am altering course to starboard." This applies regardless of which vessel is larger.

Crossing Situation

When two power-driven vessels are on crossing courses, the vessel that has the other on its starboard (right) side is the give-way vessel. The memory aid: "if in doubt, the vessel to your right has right of way." The give-way vessel should alter course to pass astern of the stand-on vessel — not cut in front of it.

Overtaking

Any vessel overtaking another is the give-way vessel, regardless of propulsion type. An overtaking vessel must keep clear until it is past and well clear. On a river or channel, the overtaking vessel typically passes on the open-water side. Two short blasts signal "I am altering course to port" when passing on the port side of the vessel ahead.

Narrow Channels and Restricted Waterways

In narrow channels or fairways, vessels should keep to the starboard (right) side of the channel as far as safe and practicable. Small craft — meaning pleasure craft that can safely navigate outside the channel — must not impede vessels that can only safely navigate within the channel. Large commercial ships and ferries constrained to the channel have effective right-of-way over small pleasure craft regardless of the normal hierarchy.

When approaching a blind bend in a river or channel, one prolonged blast (4–6 seconds) on the horn signals your presence. A vessel on the other side of the bend responds with one prolonged blast if it hears you.

Navigation Lights — When Required and What They Mean

Navigation lights must be displayed from sunset to sunrise and during any period of restricted visibility (fog, heavy rain, smoke). They are how vessels identify each other's position, heading, and type in the dark.

Standard Light Configuration for Small Power-Driven Vessels

• Masthead light: White, forward-facing, 225° arc, at least 2 nautical miles visible
• Sidelights: Red (port, left side) and green (starboard, right side), each 112.5° arc
• Stern light: White, 135° arc facing aft

Vessels under 7 metres with a maximum speed not exceeding 7 knots may show an all-round white light plus sidelights — or where that is impractical, a single all-round white light only. This exemption is narrow and should not be assumed to apply broadly.

Sailing Vessels Under Sail

Sidelights and a stern light (no masthead light when under sail). Vessels under 20 metres may combine these into a single tricolour light at the masthead.

Vessels at Anchor

An all-round white anchor light, visible from all directions, at the forward end of the vessel. Vessels under 7 metres at anchor are exempt from the anchor light requirement when in an area not normally used by other vessels, but the exemption is rarely available on a busy lake.

Sound Signals

Sound signals communicate intentions and warn other vessels of your presence, particularly in restricted visibility. The basic signals under COLREGs Rule 34 are:

• One short blast: "I am altering course to starboard"
• Two short blasts: "I am altering course to port"
• Three short blasts: "I am operating astern propulsion" (reversing)
• Five or more short blasts: Danger signal — used when uncertain of another vessel's actions
• One prolonged blast (4–6 seconds): Warning signal when leaving a dock, blind channel, or bend

In restricted visibility (fog), vessels underway sound one prolonged blast every two minutes. Vessels at anchor ring a bell rapidly for five seconds every minute.

Restricted Visibility

When visibility drops due to fog, heavy rain, snow, or smoke, COLREGs Rule 19 requires vessels to:

• Proceed at a safe speed adapted to the conditions
• Have engines ready for immediate manoeuvre
• Sound the appropriate fog signal
• Stop engines and navigate with extreme caution upon hearing a fog signal appearing to come from forward of the beam

The normal stand-on/give-way rules do not apply in restricted visibility between vessels that cannot see each other. Every operator is responsible for avoiding collision regardless of which vessel technically had right-of-way.

Speed Restrictions

COLREGs Rule 6 requires all vessels to proceed at a safe speed at all times, meaning a speed at which a collision can be avoided and the vessel can be stopped within an appropriate distance. In addition, Canada-specific regulations and provincial laws impose specific speed limits:

• 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore (federal default under the Small Vessel Regulations)
• Provincial and municipal speed limits may be lower in specific waterways
• No-wake zones near marinas, swimming areas, and heritage sites

Speeding fines range from $200 to $5,000 depending on circumstances and provincial enforcement. The 30-metre shore rule is among the most frequently enforced speed regulations.

Alcohol and Boating

Operating a motorized pleasure craft while impaired is an offence under both the Criminal Code of Canada and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. The legal blood alcohol concentration limit is 80 mg per 100 mL of blood (BAC 0.08) — the same standard as for motor vehicles. Provincial impaired boating laws may apply stricter administrative penalties at lower BAC levels.

Transport Canada data indicates alcohol is a contributing factor in a significant proportion of recreational boating fatalities. The same cognitive and physical impairments that make drunk driving dangerous are compounded on water by sun exposure, vibration, and wave motion.

Last reviewed: May 14, 2026.