Let’s talk: Making personal flotation devices/lifejackets mandatory for recreational boaters

Canada averages 111 recreational boating deaths each year. Not using a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket is a leading cause of death among recreational boaters, accounting for 89% of all fatalities.

We began to re-examine the mandatory use of PFDs/lifejackets for people on board recreational vessels in 2018. Several research projects were launched, by ourselves and safety partners, to collect data to better understand boater perspectives on PFD/lifejacket use.

Results from these projects showed that:

• 47.8% of online survey respondents reported they always wear a PFD or lifejacket while boating
• 34% of boaters recorded during on-site observations were wearing a PFD or lifejacket:
  • minors (under the age of 18) were nearly twice as likely than adults to wear a PFD/lifejacket (67% for youth vs. 29% for adults)
  • children 6 to 12 were most likely to wear a PFD/lifejacket (75%)
  • women were slightly more likely to wear a PFD/lifejacket than men (38% vs. 31%)
  • "wear rates” (the number of people on a vessel wearing a PFD/lifejacket) varied widely across vessel types but were higher on-board smaller vessels compared to larger vessels
  • results for human powered vessels ranged widely, with high wear rates for kayakers (78%), but much lower rates for canoers (41%)
  • guests on board recreational vessels were much more likely (46 times) to wear a PFD/lifejacket when the operator was wearing one

Alongside these research projects, the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada produced a report in 2021 that tracked recreational boating-related deaths in Canada from 2008 to 2017.

Key takeaways from this report found that:

• most people who died due to a recreational boating-related incident weren’t wearing a PFD or lifejacket
• most of the people who died were adults
• most recreational boating-related deaths involved powerboats, followed by canoes
• the most common incident that led to a death was a capsized vessel, followed by a person falling or being thrown overboard

For more information on these research initiatives, please reference our Mandatory Wear of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets: Enhanced Canadian Data backgrounder document.

Proposed criteria

We analyzed these research projects to develop criteria to consider when developing options for mandatory wear requirements of PFDs/lifejackets in certain circumstances when boating recreationally.

These proposed criteria are based on three categories:

1. age requirements
2. vessel length
3. vessel type

Our main goal of any approach would be to reduce deaths among boaters at greatest risk. Final options may be included in regulatory updates to the Small Vessel Regulations.

Any potential requirements would only apply while a vessel is moving, so as not to impact other activities like anchoring the boat and swimming. Given the complexity of this issue, we may consider a combination of different criteria, based on data and public feedback.

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public. Your opinion and feedback are important.

How to participate

• Please read the Mandatory Wear of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets: Enhanced Canadian Data backgrounder document linked on this page, for more information on the work by Transport Canada and safety partners to examine the issue of PFD/lifejacket usage among recreational boaters.
• Participate in our survey to share your thoughts on which criteria regarding the mandatory use of PDF/Lifejackets would be most effective in reducing fatalities.
• Please go to "register" at the top of the page or sign in.
• Participate in our discussion forum through the “Have your say” tab. The forum will be open until November 4, 2024.
• Send a formal written submission via the “Submissions” tab before November 4, 2024.
• You can also send us your comments via email at MSSRegulations-ReglementsSSM@tc.gc.ca.