Maritime Rules Part 91 - Navigational safety rules

Part 91 continues the basic navigation safety rules contained in the Water Recreation Regulations, 1974, with some modifications and additions to bring the requirements up-to-date with modern boating conditions and safety expectations.

Part 91 requires the carriage of personal flotation devices (buoyancy aids designed to be worn on the body), which must be onboard recreational craft. This includes pleasure craft and manually powered craft used in commercial operations for example: sea kayak rentals.

Devices must be worn on board recreational craft when there are circumstances of heightened danger or risk.

Certain recreational craft don’t have to carry personal flotation devices for example: sailboard where the sailor wears a wet suit, and persons training or participating in a sporting event where there’s a support vessel handy.

The rules incorporate standard for personal floatation devices, including specialist devices used in paddle craft applications.