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100-BZT-01-IGDO ©2025, Workplace Safety & Prevention Services
(WSPS) 1 877 494 WSPS (9777) | 905 614 1400 | WSPS.CA
Working Near and On Water
Small Motorized Watercraft Safety Information Guide
What Does Motorized Watercraft Work Look Like?
Many facilities such as summer camps, resorts, yacht clubs, marinas, environmental agencies, tourist
attractions, and municipalities use boats, personal watercraft (i.e., jet skis), pontoon boats, fishing
boats, dinghies, motorized inflatable boats (i.e., Zodiacs) and other forms of small, motorized
watercraft in their operations.
Job tasks may include supervising boating instruction or aquatic activities, providing tours, rescuing
individuals, servicing other boaters, gathering water or environmental samples, delivering goods by
water, among others.
Who is at Risk?
• Boat Operators – Boating Instructors, Boat Excursion / Tour Guides, Watersports Instructors
• Passengers – Counsellors, Group Leaders, Leaders-In-Training
• Staff from any department using boats as transportation
• Maintenance Staff
Pleasure Craft vs. Non-Pleasure Vessels
Many legal requirements for boating are established by Transport Canada. Employers must determine
whether watercraft are considered "pleasure craft" or "non-pleasure vessel" for the purposes of
Transport Canada regulations as operator competency / licensing and safety equipment requirements
are based on this determination.
Transport Canada: Non-Pleasure Vessel or Pleasure Craft?
Common Motorized Watercraft Hazards
Operating motorized watercraft in the course of employment poses significant risks of injury to staff.
Common hazards from motorized watercraft include:
