BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Who is the ‘operator’?

A boat ‘operator’ is the person who is in control of the pleasure craft and who is responsible for its operation. As a pleasure craft operator you are responsible for yourself, your passengers, your boat and the safety of other boaters on the water.

What is a ‘pleasure craft’?

A ‘pleasure craft’ is any vessel, ship or boat that’s only used for pleasure or recreation. The most common types of pleasure craft include: sport fishing boats, bow riders, deck boats, inboard ski/wakeboard boats, houseboats, pontoon boats, cabin cruisers, yachts, personal watercraft, sailboats and paddle craft.

Note: If the boat carries goods or passengers for any type of profit, it’s considered to be a commercial boat. Commercial boats will have different rules and regulations.

What is a ‘personal watercraft’?

A ‘personal watercraft’ (PWC) is a small watercraft that’s equipped with an inboard engine and is powered by a jet-propulsion system. A personal watercraft will have unique handling characteristics because of it’s small size and method of power. For example, you can’t steer a personal watercraft unless throttle power is applied.