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S.P.A.R.K. Start
Pleasure Craft Operator's Card

When do you need the Card?

IMMEDIATELY

Operators of motorized water craft under 4m

IMMEDIATELY

Operators of personal water craft (i.e. Jet skis)

IMMEDIATELY

Boaters born after April 1, 1983

Sept 15, 2009

All Boaters

 

S.P.A.R.K. Start LogoS.P.A.R.K. Start is the Canadian Yachting Association's (CYA) accredited Canadian Coast Guard boating safety course. This course was developed to meet the new federal legislation that came into effect April 1, 1999 regarding boater competency regulations.

Need to replace a lost or stolen card - download this form fill it out and send it to the CYA.

Ottawa Sailing and Powerboating Schools are members in good standing with the CYA and are able to deliver the Pleasure Craft Operator Card to you in one of the following five ways:

PRE-REQUISTES None.

OPTIONS 5 different ways:
10 hour Classroom Course
3 hour Refresher Course
Challenge the Exam
A full CYA Certified Course
Previous Education Application

FEE

10 Hour Course $75 + GST
3 Hour Refresher $45 + GST
Exam Challenge $30 + GST
CYA Certification Course $240 + GST and up
Application $15.00 + GST

CERTIFICATION AWARDED Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.

NEXT STEPS

SCHEDULE - Updated as of September 14, 2006

S.P.A.R.K Start Full Course

DATES TIME CODE LOCATION STATUS
Tuesdays Feb. 7 - 28 7 - 9:30 pm SFC1 Glebe CI Closed
Tuesdays April 25 - May 16 7 - 9:30 pm SFC2 Glebe CI Closed
Tuesdays Oct. 3 - 24 7 - 9:30 pm SFC3 Glebe CI Closed

S.P.A.R.K. Start Refresher Course

DATE TIME CODE LOCATION STATUS
Thursday March 23 7 - 10 pm SRC1 Nepean SC Closed
Thursday April 20 7 - 10 pm SCR2 Nepean SC Closed
Thursday May 25 7 - 10 pm SRC3 Nepean SC Closed
Thursday June 22 7 - 10 pm SRC4 Nepean SC Closed

 

S.P.A.R.K. Start Exam Dates

Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9 p.m.

A Full CYA Certification Course

For complete practical and theoretical boat training, look at signing up for one of our on-water courses. Upon successful completion of either of our cruising, sailing or powerboating courses you will obtain your CYA certification and your Pleasure Craft Operator's Card.

Application by CYA certification holders:

For those who have completed one of the following courses prior to April 1, 1999:

  • CYA Basic Cruising Standard
  • CYA Basic Outboard Standard or
  • CYA Basic Powerboating Standard
you may simply apply for your Pleasure Craft Operator Card by coming down to the school on any of our S.P.A.R.K. exam nights, with your CYA Learn-to-Cruise or Learn-to-Powerboat logbook and a photo ID with date of birth.
Canadian Coast Guard Safety Course Logo