BOATsmart! Base de connaissances du Canada 

Maintaining your equipment in proper working order will help you avoid emergency situations and reduce your operating costs. You should perform maintenance on your craft and equipment at the beginning of each season and at regular intervals throughout the season. The use of a maintenance checklist is recommended.

Understanding local water hazards and determining local weather conditions before you depart will help you avoid unsuitable operating conditions and potentially life threatening situations. Before heading out, you should consult marine charts for the waterway in which you plan to operate, and talk to local boaters and marine operators to gain valuable insight.

The Canadian Coast Guard recommends the use of a Trip Plan before heading out. A Trip Plan is used to identify your vessel and proposed route, and can be a significant aid to search and rescue organizations in an emergency. The use of a Pre-Departure Checklist is also highly recommended.