Transportation/Trucking — September 15, 2009

10 million Canadian boaters need an Operator Card effective today as the 10 year phase in is now complete

OTTAWA, Sept. 15 /CNW Telbec/ - Effective today, if you operate a boat in Canada you must have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card or you risk fines of $250 and up.

BoaterExam.com became a top visited site this week as millions of boaters realize that they now must be certified before they operate a boat next and are pulling up the official website. "We had to keep our call centre open 24 hours per day to answer all the calls and emails from the millions of boaters who have questions about getting certified online at BoaterExam.com" says Robert Dupel, spokesperson for BoaterExam.com. The web traffic and calls to BoaterExam.com increased 10 fold over the past several days as boaters turned to the Transport Canada accredited course provider to get certified.

After a 10 year federal law phase in period, today marks the first day where all Canadian boaters are required to have their Pleasure Craft Operator Card, commonly referred to as a boating license, or they risk expensive fines by peace officers. Anyone operating a powered watercraft recreationally in the country must have the Card on board with them effective today.

Approximately 3 million boaters have taken their boater exam already and have the Card, however an estimated 10 million boaters still need the card. BoaterExam.com wants to reassure boaters that the online test remains available 24/7 and encourages boaters to get certified now as there is still some great boating to be had this fall. The 36 question, multiple choice exam requires a 75% mark to receive a passing grade. Boaters can print a temporary card as soon as they pass online and their permanent card is mailed to their home in a few weeks, and the card is good-for-life, and it never needs to be renewed.

This law applies to all ages, many people think that kids need to be 16yrs to get certified and that if you are 65 yrs and up you are grandfathered, this is false, there is no minimum age to get certified, and no age exemption. Others think that you don't need the card if your motor is under 10 horsepower, but in fact it's needed to operate any size motors, even an electric motor on a canoe for example.

Boaters that have misplaced or lost their card can call the Boating Safety Info Line at 1-866-688-2628 to confirm their name is in BoaterExam.com's national database and obtain a replacement card.

BoaterExam.com is the most important course provider in the country and offers boaters various ways to get certified; online, in class or home study. For more information visit www.BoaterExam.com or call their Boating Safety Info Line 24/7 Toll Free at 1-866-688-2628.

These services are offered equally in both official languages, the French web site is www.ExamenBateau.com. BoaterExam.com is also approved by NASBLA and the US Coast Guard in 38 states.

For further information: media inquiries please contact Robert Dupel at 1-866-688-2628 or on his cell at (613) 799-6463 or robert@boaterexam.com

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