Boat operator testing investigated

Transport Canada officials are investigating after complaints of improper boat operator cards being issued at an Edmonton trade show.

Several weeks ago at the Edmonton Motorshow, a booth operated by a Winnipeg-based S.C.O.T.T.S. Boat Safe was offering testing that allowed people to obtain their pleasure craft operators card, a requirement for anyone operating a powered boat.

Daniel Csernyanszki took the test, passed it, paid the company $63 and received his card.

"I just got a temporary card," Csernyanszki says. "They told me in three weeks I would get the permanent card."

However, days later he visited Transport Canada’s website only to discover that the company that administered his test had been suspended from issuing the cards.

"The first thing I clicked came up ‘suspension,’ seeing that I was pretty disappointed," he says.

A S.C.O.T.T.S. Boat Safe representative says the suspension stems from a paperwork delay, but officials with Transport Canada says the company "…is not permitted to offer the approved boating safety course, administer accredited boating safety tests, or issue pleasure craft operator cards.

A statement posted on the company’s website states: "We will reaccredit under transport canada requirements. We will be back to teach boaters."

A company representative also says that refunds will be issued for any tests administered during the company’s suspension period.

Transport Canada authorizes hundreds of companies to issue the cards, but experts advise to research the teacher as well as the exam.

"If there is a problem, you have to contact the company where you got the card from," says Miles Rimer of the Profession Association of Boating Instructors. "If you go to company that shows up once a year, you may have trouble finding them."

A complete list of companies authorized to issue pleasure craft operator cards is available online.