BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

Maintaining your equipment in proper working order will help you avoid emergency situations and reduce your operating costs.

Always complete maintenance procedures on your boat and equipment at the beginning of each season and regularly throughout the season- you can use the BOATsmart! Pre-Season Maintenance checklist to make maintenance easy!

Understanding local water hazards and determining local weather conditions before you leave the dock will help you avoid poor operating conditions and potentially life threatening situations. Always consult marine charts for the waterway where you’re planning on boating and talk to local boaters and marine operators for valuable insight.

Transport Canada recommends the use of a Trip Plan before heading out. A Trip Plan is used to identify your boat and proposed route, and can be a significant aid to search and rescue organizations in an emergency. The use of a Pre-Departure Checklist is also highly recommended.