Always have your Pleasure Craft Operator Card if driving a boat

The first long weekend of cottage season 2016 is now over but we have several more still to look forward to.  There was no appearance of the marine OPP checking boats this weekend --- or at least that we are aware of --- but they have visited Anstruther in past years.  

We take this opportunity to remind all cottagers that if you do not already have a Pleasure Craft Operator Card, sometimes also called a boating licence, you can do the exam here at the marina.  Failure to produce the card (if stopped by OPP) can result in a fine so it is important that you have one if you want to drive a boat.  In past, cottagers who have left their wallet at the cottage have been given a fine so always make sure you have it with you when driving a boat.

The Pleasure Craft Operator test is offered online, which is very convenient but be prepared to spend time.  We have heard from people who have signed onto this --  that it requires an excessive commitment of time and patience (you don't move on to the next question when you answer immediately after answering one - you must instead wait the required time).  Last year, several people lost patience and purchased the test a second time here so that they could do it in person to get it over with quickly.  Unfortunately the cost of the online test is not transferable to a site test.  

In person, the test is 75 minutes long, questions are multiple choice and a passing grade is 38/50, the cost is $49.99.  If the final score is less than 38, further tests can be taken at least 24 hours apart at no additional cost.  A passing test means that you get a temporary Operator Card until the permanent one arrives by mail (within 6 weeks), this will allow you to go from our test directly to a boat to drive away.