Promoting Boating Safety is one of our key missions.

A boater's level of education is one of the key factors in the prevention of search and rescue incidents.

A knowledgeable boater is a safer boater.

The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 14 carries out boating safety programs in partnership with Transport Canada's Office of Boating Safety.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 14 - Gibsons, Sunshine Coast BC

Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check (PCCC)

The Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check program is the Auxiliary's primary means of bringing the Boating Safety message to the boating public. Upon an owner's invitation, a trained Auxiliary member will board a vessel and conduct a Courtesy Check.

All legally required safety equipment is checked as well as certain optional equipment.  If no deficiencies are found the owner receives a decal.  If deficiencies are noted there are no penalties, but it is the owner's responsibility to correct them.

As the purpose of a Courtesy Check is to educate the boating community, the information collected during a Courtesy Check is not shared with enforcement agencies.  By conducting hundreds of voluntary Courtesy Checks each year, members of the Auxiliary reach out to boaters with a friendly, non-threatening, educational approach.

To request a Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check Contact Us

Kids Don't Float

The purpose of this program is to insure that younger boaters have access to proper Personal Flotation Devices.

The program features a large board with colourful graphics along with a supply of children's PFDs (personal floatation devices).

The program is run on an honour system and offers free day use of the PFDs.

In Gibsons a board was erected at the Gibsons Marina.