Once a vessel exceeds 24 metres (78’9”), Transport Canada mandates the most extensive safety equipment list of all pleasure craft categories. These larger vessels can carry many passengers and operate far offshore, so they must be fully outfitted for emergencies.
This guide summarizes the legal minimums for boats over 24 m, plus recommended extras to keep your crew and vessel secure.
Who this applies to
This category covers pleasure craft over 24 m in length. Examples include superyachts, expedition vessels, and large commercial-style boats used recreationally. These boats fall under stricter rules because of their size, complexity, and offshore use.
Transport Canada Required Equipment (Over 24 m)
Personal lifesaving equipment
- One Canadian-approved lifejacket or PFD for each person onboard
- One buoyant heaving line at least 30 m (98’5”) long
- SOLAS lifebuoys (minimum 2):
- One attached to a buoyant line at least 30 m long
- One equipped with a self-igniting light
- Lifting harness with appropriate rigging
- Reboarding device if freeboard is over 0.5 m
Browse: Life Jackets & PFDs.
Vessel safety equipment
- One anchor with at least 50 m (164’1”) of cable, rope, or chain
- Bilge pumping equipment
Visual signals
- One watertight flashlight
- Twelve pyrotechnic distress signals (max six smoke)
Navigation equipment
- Two sound-signalling appliances (fitted whistle and fitted bell) that meet Collision Regulations
- Navigation lights
- Magnetic compass that meets Navigation Safety Regulations
- Radar reflector (unless impractical)
Fire fighting equipment
- One 10BC fire extinguisher at:
- Each access to spaces with fuel-burning appliances
- Each accommodation space entrance
- The entrance to the machinery space
- Power-driven fire pump (outside the machinery space) with hose and nozzle capable of reaching all parts of the vessel
- Two axes
- Four buckets (10 L minimum each)
Recommended extras for vessels over 24 m
At this scale, it’s common to go beyond the minimum with advanced systems:
- Fixed fire suppression systems in engine rooms
- EPIRBs, SARTs, and PLBs for offshore emergencies
- Medical-grade first aid and trauma kits
- Survival suits for cold-water operations
- Backup power and redundant bilge systems
See our Marine Safety Equipment collection for essentials.
Why compliance matters
Vessels over 24 m are complex and may carry dozens of people. Having the correct safety equipment isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s critical for handling fire, flooding, or emergencies at sea.
Outfit your vessel over 24 m
Before leaving the dock, confirm your vessel carries every item on the Transport Canada list. For peace of mind, invest in recommended extras that match the demands of large-vessel operations.
Note: This summary is based on Transport Canada requirements for pleasure craft over 24 m. Always verify the latest regulations for your vessel and operating area.
