Was out boating Sunday and it was glorious. Only saw two other boats on the water all day. Soon the lakes will be a buzzing with others enjoying our lakes as much as I do and so it's time to dig out your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). Tip: Photocopy it, put it in a plastic cover and keep a copy in whatever boat you drive.

Our friends at BOATsmart! celebrate safe boating with Boat Awareness Week May 14-18. In the days leading up to the Victoria Day long weekend, the second annual BOATsmart! Awareness Week focuses on boating safety awareness and education for the whole family -- and is the official kick off to the seasonal campaign to encourage boaters to get PCOC-certified.

It's easy. And a great refresher for even veteran boaters. Just go to www.boatsmartexam.com to complete complimentary online study course, and then take the exam ($49.95 + tax). Or do it in person. Starting May 17, BOATsmart! Safe Boating Teams make stops at Canadian Tire stores and community events across the country to educate Canadians on safe boating and offer onsite PCOC exams. In Muskoka, you can find safe boating kiosks at our local Canadian Tire Stores, and across the street from Don's Bakery in Bala, to cite a few examples.

“We believe all members of the family should get their Pleasure Craft Operator Card because safe boating is important at every age and for all passengers,” says Cameron Taylor, President of BOATsmart! “By certifying the entire family, you can ensure the watercraft is always under the control of a certified boater.”

About 100 Canadians die in accidents on the water every year, with another 6,000 suffering non-fatal injuries – with most of those accidents being preventable. As the country’s leader in boating safety, BOATsmart!, is urging families to get their boat licences now.

BOATsmart! recommends the following to families planning to head out on the water this boating season:
- Make safe boating part of your cottage routine - review safety rules together
- Wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times
- Never mix drinking with boating
- Get certified—it’s the law. Failure to present a PCOC can result in a minimum fine of $250. The PCOC is good for life.

BOATsmart! provides the Pleasure Craft Operator Card at a discount for families, available at www.boatsmartexam.com. The official Study Guide is available at participating Canadian Tire stores and is a valuable resource to refresh the entire family’s boating knowledge prior to each season.

To learn more or to speak with a BOATsmart! rep, please contact:
Jessica Renaud, 647.202.3243 or email jessica.renaud@mosaic.com