The Office of Boating Safety, OBS, is exploring the possibility of implementing a national boating safety database which would improve the tracking of operator competency cards. OBS currently relies on the course providers to provide statistics on the number of operator competency cards issued, however this information is not complete enough for us to be able to provide accurate figures. The attached table identifies a figure of over 600,000 total cards issued, however we expect the total may be higher given the missing data from some course providers.
There are 75 accredited course providers plus nine course providers who are currently undergoing the accreditation process. Please refer to the attached table for a breakdown of the numbers and locations of course providers as well as the cards issued. Although there are not course providers in every province, people can receive training through correspondence courses, which can be delivered by mail or the Internet.
The OBS does not collect information on the number of cards issued to non-residents.
- The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations do not apply in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.