There is a fine of $250 if you are found to be operating a vessel without a valid licence. However, if you decided to register your vessel instead of licensing it, there is no fine.
Vessel Registration FAQs
Can I Request My Documentation is Prioritized?Where Can My Port of Registry Be? CAN A DINGHY HAVE THE SAME OFFICIAL NUMBER AS A REGISTERED VESSEL?WHAT HAPPENS TO THE VESSEL WHEN ONE JOINT OWNER DIES?HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?WHAT VESSELS CAN BE DOCUMENTED?How Do I Establish Canadian Citizenship? MAY I RENEW MY DOCUMENT EARLY?WHAT IS SMALL VESSEL REGISTRY?ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION?Which Vessels Have to Be Registered and Licenced?HOW DO I CLOSE THE REGISTRY OF MY VESSEL?HOW DO I CHANGE THE NAME OR PORT OF REGISTRY OF MY VESSEL?WHAT IS A JOINT OWNER?How Do I Prove Ownership of My Vessel? CAN I LAMINATE MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?WHAT IS A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VESSEL WHOSE NUMBER BEGINS WITH THE LETTER ‘C’ (e.g., C00000BC) AS OPPOSED TO A VESSEL WHOSE NUMBER BEGINS WITH A NUMBER, AND/OR A LETTER AND NUMBERS (e.g., 32E 00000 OR BC 00000)?WHAT VESSELS ARE EXEMPT?WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE LOST OR MISPLACED MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?