Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations (SOR/2008-120)

Anchorage in False Creek

13 In section 14, anchor includes securing a vessel to a mooring buoy or attaching it to another vessel that is anchored.

• 14 (1) No person shall, unless the person holds a permit issued by the Minister, anchor a vessel within the waters of False Creek in the City of Vancouver that are east of a line drawn 45° true from Kitsilano Point to the north shore of False Creek

  • (a) for a cumulative period of more than eight hours between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.; or

  • (b) any time after 11:00 p.m. of one day and before 9:00 a.m. of the following day.

• (2) The Minister shall issue a permit for a maximum period set out in subsection (3) or (4) if

  • (a) the owner or operator of a vessel submits to the Minister a signed application providing the following information:

    • (i) the number of days that the vessel would be anchored,

    • (ii) the name and permanent address of the applicant,

    • (iii) the telephone number or the place where the applicant may be contacted during the period of the permit, and

    • (iv) the vessel’s identification;

  • (b) the vessel owner or operator ensures that the vessel is seaworthy; and

  • (c) there is space available to anchor the vessel.

• (3) A permit is valid for a maximum period of

  • (a) 14 days for a permit issued during the summer, being the period beginning on April 1 and ending on September 30; and

  • (b) 21 days for a permit issued during the winter, being the period beginning on October 1 and ending on March 31.

• (4) The owner or operator of a vessel may apply for a permit to anchor the vessel for a maximum period, calculated as follows:

  • (a) for permits issued during the summer, 14 days less the number of full or partial days that the vessel was anchored during the 30 days before the day of the application; and

  • (b) for permits issued during the winter, 21 days less the number of full or partial days that the vessel was anchored during the 40 days before the day of the application.

• (5) This section does not apply to the following persons acting within the scope of their duties:

  • (a) an enforcement officer; or

  • (b) an employee or agent or mandatary of Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province, or of a county, municipality or regional district.

Safe Operation

• 15 (1) A person who operates a vessel shall

  • (a) take into account any circumstances that could pose a danger to the vessel or to other vessels; and

  • (b) avoid endangering the safety of persons involved in any activity in any waters.

• (2) A person who operates a vessel during a sporting, recreational or public event or activity for which a permit has been issued shall do so in a manner that does not interfere with the event or activity.

16 [Repealed, SOR/2025-158, s. 6]

17 [Repealed, SOR/2025-158, s. 6]

Age Restrictions

18 Sections 19 to 21 apply in respect of a pleasure craft that is operated in Canadian waters, other than in the waters of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

19 No person who is under 12 years of age shall operate, and no person shall allow a person who is under 12 years of age to operate, a pleasure craft, other than a personal watercraft, propelled by a motor with an engine power greater than 7.5 kW, unless the person is accompanied and directly supervised in the pleasure craft by a person who is 16 years of age or older.

20 No person who is under 16 years of age shall operate, and no person shall allow a person who is under 16 years of age to operate, a pleasure craft, other than a personal watercraft, propelled by a motor with an engine power greater than 30 kW, unless the person is accompanied and directly supervised in the pleasure craft by a person who is 16 years of age or older.

21 No person who is under 16 years of age shall operate, and no person shall allow a person who is under 16 years of age to operate, a personal watercraft.

Repeal

22 [Repeal]

Coming into Force

23 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.