Who should you leave your sail plan (trip plan) with?
PCOC Boating Test overview
PCOC Boating Test: Trip planning, weather and loading
Seaworthiness and the pre-departure check, marine forecasts and wind warnings, sail plans, charts and publications, local hazards, loading your boat and the free courtesy check.
- No sign-up
- Every answer explained
- Independent · not a government site
- 17 questions
- Topic drill
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Study reference: Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026), Ch. Before you go — Inspect your boat, weather, sail plan, charts, loading, pp. 33–36, 61
All 17 questions in this test
Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.
Who should you leave your sail plan (trip plan) with?
- A stranger at the boat launch who saw you leave
- The marina's fuel attendant
- Someone you trust who will act if you're late
- Nobody, if the trip is short
On a summer afternoon the sky darkens quickly and the wind is picking up. What should you do?
- Turn off your radio to save power
- Speed up to finish your route
- Anchor in open water and wait
- Head for shore or shelter
A strong wind warning is in effect for your area. What wind speed is expected?
- 34 to 47 knots
- 48 to 63 knots
- 20 to 33 knots
- 10 to 19 knots
Who publishes Canada's official nautical charts and publications?
- The Canadian Hydrographic Service
- Service Canada
- Transport Canada's licensing centre
- Parks Canada
You are new to a lake and the charts don't cover it. Who does the guide suggest you ask about hazards like low-head dams and rapids?
- The fuel attendant at a highway gas station
- No one; just go slowly
- A national weather office
- Local residents who know the water
Before you leave the dock, how many other people on board should know how to operate the boat?
- Everyone over 12
- At least one
- None; that is your job
- Only adults with a PCOC
What wind speed does a gale warning in a marine forecast mean?
- 48 to 63 knots
- 34 to 47 knots
- 64 knots or more
- 20 to 33 knots
You haven't returned by the time in your sail plan. Who should your contact call?
- Your boat insurance company
- Environment Canada
- The Pleasure Craft Licensing Centre
- A Joint Rescue Coordination Centre
What does the pre-departure checklist tell you to check about the drain plug before launching?
- That it is in your pocket
- That it is in place
- That it is loose for drainage
- That it is removed
Environment Canada has issued a storm warning for the lake. What wind speed is expected?
- 48 to 63 knots
- 20 to 33 knots
- 34 to 47 knots
- 64 knots or more
How should you load gear and passengers in a small boat?
- Put all the weight at the bow
- Seat everyone on one side
- Spread weight evenly and keep it low
- Stack gear high to keep it dry
Is it legal to take out a boat you know is not seaworthy?
- Yes, if passengers agree
- No, it is against the law
- Yes, if it is your own boat
- Yes, if you stay near shore
In which situation may you go without nautical charts and publications?
- Your boat is under 6 m
- You stay within 5 km of shore and only in daylight
- You have a GPS app
- Under 100 tons and you know the waters very well
Which VHF channels carry continuous marine weather on the Atlantic coast and the Great Lakes?
- 16 and 70
- 21B and 83B
- 9 and 22A
- 68 and 72
You are going out for only an hour or two. Should you file a sail plan?
- Yes, even for a short trip
- Only if you have no radio
- No, only for trips offshore
- No, only for trips over a day
What is a pleasure craft courtesy check?
- A licence renewal inspection
- A police check that can lead to fines
- A paid inspection every 5 years
- A free, no-penalty check by trained volunteers
Your boat is 7 m long and its compliance notice shows no recommended limits. What should you do about loading?
- Follow the limits for a 6 m boat instead
- Use good judgement and ask the maker
- Carry no more than 4 people
- Load as much as you like
Trip planning, weather and loading: key rules to remember
Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗
Inspect your boat
- Motor problems such as running out of fuel often lead to distress calls.
- Using a boat you know isn't seaworthy is against the law; keep the boat, engine and equipment in good working order. Use a pre-departure checklist whether you own, rent or borrow.
- Brief everyone on safety rules and where the equipment is; make sure at least one other person on board can operate the boat.
Monitor the weather
- Get the latest forecast; local knowledge (topography) matters - people who know the area are the best source.
- Summer thunderstorms strike fast: if it turns dark and cloudy and conditions change quickly, head for shore.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada issues marine forecasts several times a day; Coast Guard broadcasts continuous forecasts on VHF weather channels: 21B and 83B (Atlantic coast and Great Lakes); 21B and WX1, WX2, WX3 (Pacific coast).
- Wind warnings: Strong wind 20-33 knots (37-61 km/h); Gale 34-47 knots (62-87 km/h); Storm 48-63 knots (88-117 km/h); Hurricane force 64 knots or more (118 km/h+).
Make and file a sail plan
- Sail (trip/float) plan: route and boat description. File one even for an hour or two, with someone you trust.
- If you are late, they contact a Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.
- On long trips file daily position reports; always report your return or arrival, or an unnecessary search may start.
Charts and publications
- You are legally required to carry current charts and publications for the area: large-scale charts (if available), Notices to Mariners, Sailing Directions, tide and current tables, List of Lights, Buoys and Fog Signals.
- Published by the Canadian Hydrographic Service; bought through a chart dealer.
- May not be needed if safe navigation is not compromised AND the boat is under 100 tons AND you know the waters very well.
Avoid local hazards
- Check charts for overhead obstacles, bridges, underwater cables; use tide tables and current atlases.
- Stay away from swimming areas; avoid boating too close to shore; ask locals about low-head dams, rapids, local winds and currents.
Load your boat properly
- Overloading makes the boat unstable, lets small waves aboard and limits how far it can roll.
- Follow the recommended maximum safe limits on the compliance notice near the helm; they assume good weather and weight evenly distributed.
- Boats over 6 m have no recommended limits on the notice but can still be overloaded.
Loading tips and courtesy checks
- Distribute weight evenly; secure equipment; keep the load low; keep your centre of gravity low when moving.
- Pleasure craft courtesy check: free, done by trained volunteers, education-focused, never any penalties; contact your regional Office of Boating Safety. It is not a formal assessment - you remain responsible.
Pre-departure checklist
- Make sure the drainage plug is in place; carry spare plugs; check hull, fuel, electrical systems, steering, battery, hoses.
- You are legally responsible for your guests: show them the safety equipment and communication equipment.
Study the Trip planning, weather and loading rules as flashcards →
Other topics
- Proof of competency and age limitsWho needs a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, the other accepted proofs of competency, the rental boat checklist, replacing a lost card, the horsepower limits for operators under 16 and which documents to carry.
- Licences, compliance notices and hull numbersPleasure craft licence rules (10 hp threshold, 5-year validity, 30-day deadlines, marking the bow), registration, compliance notices and safe limits, hull serial numbers and buying or building a boat.
- Lifejackets and PFDsLifejacket types and sizes, how PFDs differ, inflatable PFD restrictions, fitting children, checking and caring for flotation devices, heaving lines, lifebuoys and reboarding devices.
- Required safety equipment by boat lengthMinimum equipment by boat type and length, how length is measured, the notes on flares, reboarding devices, compasses and radar reflectors, manual propelling devices, anchors, bailers and sound-signalling devices.
- Flares and visual distress signalsRocket parachute, multi-star, hand and smoke flares, their heights and burn times, expiry and storage, electronic visual distress signals, disposing of old flares and other recognized distress signals.
- Fire, fuelling and carbon monoxideFire classes and extinguisher ratings, monthly checks, fighting a fire on board, the fuelling procedure and 4-minute blower rule, carbon monoxide, heavier-than-air vapours and ignition protection.
- Rules of the road (Collision Regulations)Lookout, safe speed and risk of collision, head-on, crossing and overtaking situations, give-way and stand-on duties, which vessels keep clear of which, narrow channels and restricted visibility.
- Sound signalsShort and prolonged blasts, manoeuvring signals (one, two, three and five blasts), the bend signal, fog signals by vessel type, the Great Lakes difference and required sound appliances.
- Navigation lights and shapesMasthead, side, stern and all-round lights and their arcs, light options for power boats, sailboats and paddle craft, anchor lights and the anchor ball, the motor-sailing cone and towing lights.
- Lateral buoys and daybeaconsPort and starboard hand buoys and the upstream rule, bifurcation, fairway and isolated danger buoys, and port, starboard and junction daybeacons.
- Cardinal and special buoysCardinal buoy colours, topmarks and lights, and the special buoys: cautionary, anchorage, information, hazard, keep out, scientific (ODAS), diving, mooring, control and swimming.
- Buoy numbers, tops, lights and markingsHow buoys are classified, odd and even numbers, flat and conical tops, light and reflector colours, the PRIV marking and how to recognise hazard, keep out, control, mooring and swimming buoys.
- Speed, wake, noise and local restrictionsChoosing a safe speed, wake damage, the muffler rule, the 10 km/h shoreline limit and its exceptions, Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations signs, and rules around marine mammals.
- Sharing the water and local hazardsLarge ships and their blind spots, tugs and tows, diver flags, seaplanes, low-head dams, power lines, historic canal rules, passing through a lock and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
- PWC, towing and paddlingPersonal watercraft age and handling rules, towing water-skiers and tubers (spotter, seats, sunset limit), stand-up paddleboard leashes and safety tips for paddlers, hunters and anglers.
- Impaired boating, fines and visitorsImpaired boating under the Criminal Code, the 2-hour rule, penalties, common contravention fines, who enforces boating laws, provinces without ticketing, and rules for non-resident boaters.
- Marine radio and distress callsVHF channels 16, 68 and 70, DSC and MMSI numbers, the operator certificate, cell phones and beacons, Mayday, Pan-Pan and Sécurité calls, false alerts and the duty to help.
- Person overboard and cold waterRecovering a person overboard, the Anderson and Williamson turns, reboarding, the 1-10-1 principle, signs of hypothermia, and the H.E.L.P. and huddle positions.
- Protecting the waterClean, drain and dry against invasive species, sewage rules (holding tanks, Ontario's ban on discharge and portable toilets), bilge pollution, green boating habits and reporting pollution or suspicious activity.