27 Aug, 2026
7 Min Read

Cell Phone Use While Boating: Safety Tips

A cell phone can fill a variety of onboard functions, from serving as a GPS to contacting emergency personnel to hooking up great music to your boat sound system.

Keep reading to find out how to use your cell phone on your next boating trip in Canada! We explain what you need to do to obey the law and stay safe while using your mobile out on the water.

Key Takeaways

You can use your cell phone as a GPS, as long as you have backup in the form of proper navigation equipment as required by Canadian law.
You can call for help with a cell phone (*16) but you can’t rely on it alone, because some phones do not have this service and there is always a risk of device failure.
Cell phones can also be used to look up safety information on or offline, file a digital float plan and play music on the boat sound system (with the right integration).
If you plan to use your cell phone on your boat, remember to waterproof the case, think about batteries and power, bring multiple forms of backup for important functions like navigation and safety calls, and download navigation charts in advance.
Always bring your actual proof of competency on board, because a digital image on your cell phone will not be considered legitimate by Canadian boating authorities.

1. Use Your Cell Phone as a GPS

Every major smartphone manufactured since the early 2010s houses an internal GPS receiver that communicates directly with global positioning satellites orbiting Earth. This means you can access this information without cellular service.

In fact, your phone can calculate your exact location even if you are miles away from the nearest cell tower.

Under a clear sky, a standard phone is accurate within 10 to 15 feet horizontally. Higher-end models featuring dual-frequency GPS can pinpoint your location within 5 to 10 feet, which is a level of precision that easily rivals basic, purpose-built marine chartplotters.

If you are operating a non-commercial pleasure craft in Canada, your smartphone can do a lot more than just map your route. Transport Canada and Canadian safety organizations have integrated digital tools right into the palm of your hand.

2. Contact the Emergency Coast Guard Fast (*16)

In Canadian waters, your cell phone can act as a direct line to search and rescue. If you are within cellular range, dialing *16 connects you directly to a Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) Centre.

While Transport Canada emphasizes that a phone is not a substitute for a VHF marine radio when it comes to legally required boating safety equipment (since a cell call won't alert nearby boats to your distress), you can still use your phone to dial *16 if you need to (as a backup).

3. View and Verify Safe Boating Practices

If you are out on the water and you are struggling to remember what a particular buoy means, or need a refresher on local noise regulations or environmental safety rules, you can use your phone to go online and find an answer. Access the Safe Boating Course Boating Safety Manual, for example, and learn what you need to know about PFD rules, boat pollution laws, what constitutes Boating Under the Influence, and more.

4. File a Digital Float Plan

Before leaving the dock, you should always tell someone on shore where you are going and when you expect to be back. Your float plan can be written down, or sent by email, but you can also send it by text or make a quick call. As long as someone knows where you plan to go and can confirm you have made it safely home, your float plan has done the job.

5. Integrate Your Cell Phone for Entertainment

You can transform your phone into an audio head unit by pairing it via Bluetooth to your boat's stereo system. If your boat lacks a modern Bluetooth stereo, you can use a Bluetooth FM Transmitter or cassette adapter to play your music from streaming platforms over the boat's speakers.

Limitations of Using a Cell Phone on a Boat

Cell phones are not designed for a harsh marine environment, and they can easily be damaged by sun, salt and water. The biggest risk of using your cell phone on your boat is that the hardware will be ruined, and your phone will stop working.

On the other hand, dedicated marine units are hardwired to the boat's power and built to withstand blinding sunlight and water. If you are planning an extended offshore crossing or boating in extreme, freezing weather, dedicated hardware is still better than a cell phone.

And remember: a cell phone is not a required piece of boating safety equipment and cannot replace any legally required equipment. Always make sure you have all required types of distress signals, a personal locator beacon and navigation equipment (such as a magnetic compass) on board.

5 Tips for Using Your Cell Phone on Your Boat

You can use your cell, but as with all types of boating equipment, you need to know the limitations of the technology and prepare accordingly.

1. Waterproof the case

The marine environment is brutal on consumer electronics. Invest in a heavy-duty, submersible waterproof case (look for an IP67 or IP68 rating) that allows you to use the touchscreen through the plastic. A clear waterproof dry-bag can let you use your touchscreen while protecting it from splashes and rain.

2. Think about batteries and power

Running continuous GPS tracking while blasting the screen brightness to fight the sun will murder your phone's battery in 3 to 6 hours. It’s a good idea to plug into a 12V marine USB charger at the helm, or carry a fully charged 20,000+ mAh portable power bank in a dry bag.

Tip: Because cell service can be spotty, many boaters use marine cell phone boosters to extend their range further off the coast.

3. Bring multiple forms of backup

Electronics fail, cases leak, batteries overheat, and software crashes. Safe boating dictates that you should never rely on a single piece of equipment. Always carry a secondary navigation source, whether that's a backup tablet or a classic set of local paper charts, and an approved method for communicating with rescue personnel.

Important: Not all cell phone providers offer the (*16) service, so check before you leave the dock.

4. Download navigation charts in advance

While GPS tracking works without cell service, loading the actual visual maps requires data. Download the charts for your boating region while you are still connected to home Wi-Fi.

5. Bring your actual proof of competency on board

A digital version of your Pleasure Craft Operator Card will not be accepted as legitimate by Canadian boating authorities. While you may be tempted to share a screenshot or digital version of your card via your phone, this will not work; you have to have your physical PCOC with you on board at all times.

Learn About Recreational Boating Safety with the National Boating Safety School

Safe boating involves using equipment you can rely on, from life jackets to navigation tools to reboarding devices.

The Boating Safety School offers the Transport Canada-approved safe boating course 100% online so you can learn all about boating safety equipment, navigation, and more. We teach everything required to pass the official exam and get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card, so you can go boating safely and legally in every province.