Special Zones / BRRs

Keep your distance from divers below the surface

Steer clear of shipping lanes

Boating Restrictions

Reading a restriction sign

Province-wide shore-line speed restrictions

Safety in historic canals and locks

Passage through a lock

Safety around dams

Naval Protection Zone - Warning!

Keep your distance from divers below the surface

Diving is a popular water activity so keep an eye out for diving flags at all times. Keeping a vigilant lookout is especially important because vessel wake, weather and other factors make it even more difficult to spot surface bubbles from those underwater. Know what these diver down flags look like.

Vessels engaged in diving operations must display the international blue and white Code Flag Alpha. A red and white flag that may also be carried on a buoy marks the area where diving is in progress, although divers may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas.

When you see either flag, keep clear of the vessel and diving site and move ahead slowly and with caution.

Steer clear of shipping lanes

Some operators do not realize the gamble they take when they cut across shipping lanes or in front of larger vessels. These vessels probably will not see you until it is too late, so apply these codes of conduct when boating.

• Always, but especially at crossing zones, maintain a vigilant lookout and be prepared to yield to large vessels. Use all available means adapted to the circumstance and conditions, including radar and radio (if so equipped).
• Small craft should navigate in groups so they are more visible.
• In fog or high winds, small craft operators should avoid taking to the water.
• Above all, keep clear of docked ferries, ferries in transit, or vessel in tow.

Boating Restrictions

If you are part of a local group, association or municipality and you feel a restriction may be needed in your area, contact a Transport Canada Centre. Before your request can be considered for addition to the Boating Restriction Regulations, the need for establishing such a restriction should be assessed and public consultation will be held at the local level.

Once a boating restriction is in place it is enforceable (Sanctions are in the form of tickets or summons) by:

• Police officers
• Conservation officers
• Persons appointed by the Minister of Transport

Read the formal language of the Boating Restriction Regulations.

Reading a restriction sign

There are five shapes associated with boating restriction signs. The colour of the frame is international orange. Signs with a section with a green border tell you a special condition applies to the restriction. The symbol on the sign indicates the type of restriction that applies. If the sign is arrow-shaped, the restriction applies in the direction pointed by the arrow. Know what these signs mean.

No power vessels

No internal combustion
or steam engine permitted

Power limit

No skiing

Standardized speed limit
(normally 5, 10, 25, 40, 55)

No regatta

No Boats

No power driven vessels or vessels driven
by electrical propulsion in the direction
indicated by the arrow

Combined sign
(no skiing and speed limit)

No skiing north of the sign

No power driven vessels
or vessels driven by electrical propulsion
during the hours and on days in red

Province-wide shore-line speed restrictions

Provinces from Ontario, westward to and including British Columbia (inland waters only in British Columbia) have adopted province-wide restrictions limiting speed to 10 km/h within 30 m (98’ 5”) from shore on all waters within their boundaries, except for:

• Waterskiing, where the boat follows a trajectory perpendicular to the shore
• In rivers less than 100 m (328’ 1”) in width, or canals or buoyed channels
• In waters where another speed is prescribed under a schedule to the regulations

This limit is not posted.

Safety in historic canals and locks

When visiting one of Canada’s historic canals make sure your boat has good mooring lines and securely fastened floating fenders in sufficient numbers and size.

There are a number of activities prohibited while in a canal, some being:

• No excessive noise between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• No fishing within 10 m (32’10”) of a lock or approach wharf or fishing from a bridge that passes over a navigation channel.
• No diving, jumping, scuba-diving or swimming in a navigation channel or within 40 m (131’) of a lock gate or a dam.
• No waterskiing or other towing activities while in a navigation channel or within 100 m (328’ 1”) of a lock structure.
• No mooring a vessel to a navigation aid.

Visit Parks Canada for information on historic canals.

Passage through a lock

Obey the posted speed limits and mind your boat’s wake, especially when approaching a lock (wake limits have precedence over speed limits). Other things to remember:

• Keep clear of the channel near lock gates so vessels coming or going can do so safely.
• A blue line on the mooring wharf indicates the waiting zone for vessels awaiting the next lockage.
• Follow the instructions given by lockmasters and bridge operators (at a number of lock stations, a green traffic light is your signal to proceed).
• Enter the lock slowly (the maximum speed limit is 10 km/h) and have people at the bow and stern of your boat with mooring lines ready to use.
• If the lock is equipped with drop cables, loop boat lines around them once safely positioned in the lock. Do not tie your boat to the drop cables. If the lock is equipped with floating docks you may be told to tie-up to one inside the lock chamber.
• Tend vessel lines carefully during the lockage; looping a line around a deck cleat may provide extra leverage.
• Never leave bow or stern lines unattended.
• Switch off the engine(s) and generator. Open flames and smoking are prohibited during lockage.
• The bilge blower must be operating during lockage.

When the lock gates open, wait for staff to direct you to restart your engine. Make sure all lines are returned to your boat and exit slowly and in order if necessary. Watch out for wind, currents and other vessels.

Procedures for using the St. Lawrence Seaway locks differ from those outlined here. Consult the St. Lawrence Seaway Authority’s Pleasure Craft Guide, available from:

Head Office
202 Pitt Street
Cornwall, Ontario
K6J 3P7
613-932-5170

Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System

Safety around dams

Operators should be cautious near canal dams and waste weirs where currents and undertows can be very dangerous. It is illegal to jump, dive, scuba dive, swim or bathe within 40 m (131') of a dam.