The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has recommended that Transport Canada strengthen its Pleasure Craft Operator Competency Program following a 2024 collision on the St. Lawrence River involving a passenger vessel and a pleasure craft near Longueuil, Quebec. The investigation found that although the pleasure craft operator held a valid Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) and had decades of boating experience, existing training did not adequately prepare him to assess collision risks in complex marine environments. The TSB noted that current PCOC requirements rely mainly on a theory test, with no mandatory practical training or refresher requirements. The Board is now calling for enhanced training measures to ensure operators can safely navigate alongside commercial traffic in busy waterways.
