What to Know About Ontario Life Jacket Laws

If you live in Ontario and own a boat or are considering buying one, knowing the laws surrounding safe boating is crucial. That includes things like registering your vessel properly and following the Ontario life jacket laws and other safety regulations.

Following these rules reduces the chances of a fine or other legal trouble, and you help keep yourself and others safe. Fortunately, the laws about life jackets in Ontario are pretty clear and straightforward, so you can learn and follow them for a safer boating experience.

Here's what you should know to protect your boat's passengers.

Understanding Ontario's Boating Safety Regulations

You could face penalties if you don't have the proper type and number of life jackets and PFDs for everyone onboard your boat.

So, when you have questions about boating rules and laws, including those that affect life jackets, it's essential to know where to get accurate information. You want to be sure you're utilizing the right resources because you need trusted information that will help you keep your boat in compliance and your passengers protected.

Transport Canada regulates boating safety in Ontario and sets the rules regarding personal flotation devices (PFDs) and life jackets. PFDs and life jackets are mandatory for all boats in Ontario waterways, even for human-powered vessels like canoes.

Are Life Jackets Legally Required in Ontario?

Yes, life jackets are legally required under Ontario boating regulations.

Everyone on your vessel must have a Transport Canada-approved life jacket or PFD that is the appropriate size for the wearer. That includes babies and children, who may need special life jackets that fit them correctly and can't use options that fit adults.

Additionally, every PFD on your boat must be in good condition. They shouldn't be ripped, moldy, or have broken straps. If one or more of your life jackets or PFDs are damaged or past their useful life, you must replace them to stay legally compliant and provide adequate protection for your passengers.

What's the Difference Between Life Jackets and PFDs?

While many people think a life jacket and a PFD are the same, they have crucial differences.

In short, life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water, while PFDs are more comfortable but do not guarantee face-up flotation. 

Knowing which one to choose matters and can depend on several factors. Babies and children should have life jackets, as should anyone who's not a strong swimmer. If you're out in rough water on a larger boat, you're also more likely to want a life jacket, as it will offer you more protection in an emergency.

Some people choose PFDs when they don't want the bulkiness of a life jacket or in calm waters when staying face up in the water is more effortless. These flotation devices are also popular for human-powered vessels like kayaks because they make paddling and other movements easier than when wearing life jackets.

Do You Have to Wear a Life Jacket at All Times?

While wearing a life jacket is always recommended when on the water, it's not technically a legal requirement.

The jacket must be on board the vessel and available when needed. However, under the life jacket laws Ontario put in place, wearing a life jacket is mandatory in some high-risk situations, such as operating personal watercraft.

What Are the Penalties for Non-Compliance?

Not complying with Ontario's life jacket laws can result in penalties.

Boaters who don't have the required PFDs may face fines, and other safety equipment violations can lead to increased penalties. Ensuring your boat has everything in legal compliance before heading out on the water is also a valuable way to experience more peace of mind while enjoying your boat.

Ontario Life Jacket Laws for Children

Like adults, children need to wear life jackets or PFDs that fit correctly.

We recommend that they wear them when on the boat, especially if they aren't strong swimmers or are very young. However, they aren't required to wear them, and you won't be fined if they don't have them on. 

Special Regulations for Specific Boats

When using a canoe, paddleboard, or kayak, you must wear an approved PFD.

Many people choose special types that make paddling easier but offer good support if they get into the water. Due to the increased danger of the activity, anyone on a personal watercraft must always wear a life jacket.

Learn More About Ontario Life Jacket Laws and Safety with BOATERexam

The biggest safety tips for life jacket and PFD use include always checking your PFD before heading out, choosing bright-colored life jackets for better visibility, and practicing wearing and adjusting PFDs to ensure a good fit. 

To learn more about boating safety regulations in Ontario, take a boater education course through BOATERexam! You'll learn about life jackets, other safety equipment, right-of-way rules, and other essentials to help you stay safe on the water (and protect others).

Our online course is fun and meets Transport Canada's requirements for boater education.
So, before you hit the water again, get your boater safety certification with the BOATERexam course for Ontario!