October 27, 2026

By John Gullick 
 
Questions about the need to carry distress flares, what types to use and when to use them are among the most asked when I am conducting a Pleasure Craft Courtesy Check. 
 
Let’s start with when you need to carry flares.  
 
Pleasure craft greater than 6 meters (19.8 ft) in length and up to 12 meters ( 39.4 ft) in length are exempt from carrying distress flares if: they are in final preparation or engaged in official competition and have no sleeping accommodations or, operating in a river canal or lake in which it can AT NO TIME  be more than one nautical Mile (1.8 k) from shore. 
 
It is this last point that is most often in question. A vessel operating on the Trent system for example has the ability to reach Lake Ontario, Lake Simcoe or Georgian Bay. Under regulation this means that the vessel can at some time be greater than one nautical mile (1.8K) from shore and is therefore required to have distress flares on board. Enforcement Officers have an ability to interpret this regulation but the law, under the conditions described, requires the carrying of flares. 
 
Here are typical vessel lengths and the number of flares that they are required to carry: 
Unpowered vessels under six meters (19.8 ft) in length: no flares required.  
Note – sailing vessels with auxiliary power are classified as powered vessels. 
Powered pleasure craft, including personal watercraft up to 6 meters (19.8’): 3 A, B or C Canadian approved flares OR a watertight flashlight. 
Powered and unpowered pleasure craft greater than 6 meters (19.8 ft) in length but no greater than 8 meters (26.3 ft): 6 Canadian approved type A, B or C flares 
Similar vessels greater than 8 meters (26.3 ft) but no greater than 12 meters (39.4 ft): 
12 Canadian approved type A, B, C or D (no more than 6 D type). 
For vessels of greater length refer to the Canadian Safe Boating Guide distributed by Transport Canada or visit www.boatingsafety.gc.ca 
 
Vessels that carry a VHF radio, a cell phone with active cell service or a GPS can reduce the number of required flares by 50%. There must be at least one smoke flare. 
 
Vessels that carry a Canadian approved electronic SOS flare are now required to carry only one Smoke flare. 
 
Types of Canadian approved flares: 
A – Parachute, a single red star that reaches a height of 300 meters and descends slowly with the aid of a parachute. 
B – Multi star, two or more red stars that reach a height of 100 meters. Note some type B flares have only one red star and two cartridges fired less than 15 seconds apart are required to equal 1 type B flare. 
C – Hand held, red flame torch held by hand. Type 1 burns for at least one minute at 700 candle power. SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) type 2 will burn for over three minutes at 15,000 candle power and produces a large volume of smoke as well. So, if you have a choice I recommend SOLAS type C flares. 
D – Smoke, buoyant or hand held, dense orange smoke for at least three minutes and for daytime use only. 
 
Canadian approved Distress Flares can be used when required for up to four years from the date of manufacture. Refer to the manufacture date only. Some flares produced in the US also have an expiry date but this is typically three years from the date of manufacturer. Store flares in a cool dry location, preferably in a watertight container, close at hand. Expired flares in good condition, no seepage or corrosion, can be kept as back up. 
 
It is illegal to ignite flares in a non-distress situation and it is also illegal to bury, throw overboard or place flares in the garbage. For the legal disposal of expired flares contact Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety, the Ontario Provincial Police or the RCMP. 
 
It is not legal to arrange for practice flare shoots. Special white type B or C flares are available for this purpose.  
 
To help boaters learn flare techniques, CanBoat has created this “how to” video and provided emergency tips here. https://www.canboat.ca/resources/boatingtips/what-should-you-do-before-using-distress-flares/.
 
 
John Gullick is currently CanBoat’s Manager of Government and Special Programs and has been an active recreational marine specialist and writer for over 50 years. 
 
All articles are free for use to promote boating and water safety. Credit must be provided to CanBoat / NautiSavoir and author John Gullick.