Feb 2, 2021
As previously mentioned in the NMMA Canada November newsletter, Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety has been consulting on proposed changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing (PCL) Program and the Pleasure Craft Operator Competency (PCOC) Program. The major items include enacting a $15 service fee for pleasure craft licenses; requiring people to renew their PCL every five years; and removing the Rental Boat Safety Checklist as an acceptable proof of competency (meaning anyone renting a boat would need to have a PCOC or equivalent).
Together with the provincial Marine Trade associations, NMMA Canada wrote a letter to Transport Canada giving feedback on the proposed changes. Notably, the letter argues that the government should fix the chronic flaws in the pleasure craft licensing statistics to make them more robust and reliable.
As well, it echoes the concerns of boat rental companies and marinas across Canada about the proposal to scrap the Rental Safety Checklist as proof of competency. As the letter states: “While we support the PCOC, we do not believe it is superior to a well-run rental checklist. Since the PCOC does not require any on-water experience, the RBSC may be the only hands-on introduction that a new boater gets.” You can read the full letter to Transport Canada here.
VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW GOES VIRTUAL FEBRUARY 24-27
Visitors to the 59th Vancouver International Boat Show will be introduced to the very latest boats and boating-related products on the market, but this year they can do so from the comfort of their own home because the event will be virtual - taking place February 24 – 27, 2021.
A key focus of the 2021 edition of the Vancouver Show will be to connect visitors with salespeople and product specialists who will be representing all of the major brands; with everything available in a simple, interactive format that makes shopping for boats, product, services and accessories easy and convenient.
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GARMIN AND FUSION UNVEIL SIGNATURE SERIES 3 MARINE SPEAKERS AND SUBWOOFERS WITH INDUSTRY-FIRST FIVE-COLOR LED LIGHTING
Garmin International, Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ:GRMN), the world’s leading marine electronics manufacturer1, announced that it has redesigned its Fusion-branded Signature Series marine speakers and subwoofers with innovative LED lighting that delivers an unprecedented spectrum of color variations to complement each unique boat and style.
Building on the success of the Signature Series product line, the new Fusion Signature Series 3 combines traditional red, green and blue LEDs with cool and warm white (CRGBW) to offer a full color palette – from premium pastels to vibrant hues...
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