Yes. People Pay to Take Trips on Water Ferries
A passenger vessel is defined as any vessel carrying at least one paying individual. Passengers typically include those who pay for services.
So, that includes ferry rides, yes, but it also includes sightseeing trips, harbor cruises, or water taxi transport, and so forth. This classification extends to all vessels accepting payment from passengers.
What it doesn’t include, for example, is giving your uncle gas money so as to help at the pump, and similar scenarios.
Use this link for Transport Canada vessel registration.
Use this link for a Transport Canada pleasure craft license.
Assistance With Transport Canada Vessel Registration and Licensing
Here at the National Vessel Registry Center Corp., we simplify the process of obtaining and managing Canadian vessel registration and licensing forms. Whether you own a pleasure craft or a vessel in the Large or Small Vessel Register, we make compliance hassle-free.
From acquiring, renewing, or transferring licenses to handling replacements, we offer a comprehensive suite of services. Everything can be done conveniently and efficiently through our user-friendly platform.
That’s true whether you have a boat, water ferry, or anything else.
You and your vessel may need to be in compliance with the rules and regulations below:
Marginal note:
Order for sale on acquisition by an unqualified person
74 If an unqualified person acquires a Canadian vessel, other than a vessel described in paragraph 47(b) (a vessel owned by a foreign corporation), a vessel described in paragraph 47(c) (a vessel subject to a financing agreement) or a vessel described in section 48 (a bare-boat chartered vessel), or a share in one, any interested person may apply to the Federal Court, or any court of competent jurisdiction whose rules provide for in rem procedure in respect of vessels, for an order that the vessel or share, as the case may be, be sold to a qualified person.
Marginal note:
Power of court to prohibit transfer
75 On the application of an interested person, the Federal Court, or any court of competent jurisdiction whose rules provide for in rem procedure in respect of vessels, may make an order prohibiting any dealing with a Canadian vessel or a share in one for a specified period.
Fleets
Marginal note:
Application for fleet
- 75.01 (1) An applicant may, instead of applying to have vessels individually registered in the small vessel register, apply to register a group of two or more vessels as a fleet in that register.
- Marginal note:
- Form and manner
(2) The application must be made in the form and manner, include the information and be accompanied by the documents specified by the Chief Registrar. - Marginal note:
- Further evidence
(3) In addition to the specified information and documents, the Chief Registrar may require an applicant to provide evidence, including declarations, that the Chief Registrar considers necessary to establish that the group of vessels may be registered as a fleet.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Registration — fleet
- 75.02 (1) The Chief Registrar may register a group of two or more vessels as a fleet if he or she is satisfied that
- (a) all of the vessels are owned by the same owner;
- (b) each vessel meets the requirements for registration in the small vessel register; and
- (c) each vessel meets any other requirement — including with respect to a vessel’s dimensions, usage or propulsion — that the Chief Registrar may establish for the vessels of a fleet.
- Marginal note:
- Small vessel register
(2) A fleet that is accepted for registration must be registered in the small vessel register.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Certificate of registry
- 75.03 (1) The Chief Registrar must issue a certificate of registry in respect of a fleet that he or she registers, and the certificate is valid for the period that he or she specifies.
- Marginal note:
- Information
(2) A certificate of registry in respect of a fleet must contain the information specified by the Chief Registrar, including- (a) a description of the fleet;
- (b) the fleet’s official number; and
- (c) the name and address of the owner and the authorized representative of the fleet.
- Marginal note:
- Description — number of vessels
(3) In the fleet’s description, the Chief Registrar must specify either the number of vessels that are to be part of the fleet or the minimum and maximum numbers of vessels that can be part of it. - Marginal note:
- Official number
(4) The fleet’s official number is also the official number of each vessel of that fleet. - Marginal note:
- Authorized representative of fleet
(5) The authorized representative of a fleet is the authorized representative, as determined under section 14, of the vessels of that fleet and must be the same authorized representative for all of the fleet’s vessels. - (6) [Repealed, 2023, c. 26, s. 367]
- Marginal note:
- Acts or omissions of authorized representative binding
(7) The owner of a fleet is bound by the acts or omissions of the authorized representative of the fleet with respect to all matters assigned by this Act to that representative.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
- 2023, c. 26, s. 367
Previous Version
Marginal note:
Refusal to issue, renew or amend certificate
75.031 Despite any other provision of this Act, the Chief Registrar may refuse to issue or renew a certificate of registry in respect of a fleet, or to amend one under paragraph 75.14(b), if the applicant for, or holder of, the certificate is in default of payment of a required fee, charge, cost or expense in respect of that fleet or a vessel of that fleet under this Act or the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act.
- 2023, c. 26, s. 368
Marginal note:
Addition or removal of vessels
75.04 Subject to subsection 75.1(2), an owner of a fleet may, after the fleet is registered, add a vessel to the fleet or remove a vessel from it. However, any vessel that is to be added must
- (a) be owned by the same owner as all of the other vessels of the fleet;
- (b) satisfy the conditions set out in paragraphs 75.02(1)(b) and (c); and
- (c) fit within the description or particulars set out in the fleet’s certificate of registry.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Vessels registered
- 75.05 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a vessel that is or becomes part of a fleet is considered to be registered under this Part and, for greater certainty, is a Canadian vessel.
- Marginal note:
- No longer registered
(2) Unless it becomes part of another fleet, such a vessel ceases to be registered under this Part if- (a) there is a change in its ownership; or
- (b) it is altered to the extent that it no longer fits within the description or particulars set out in the fleet’s certificate of registry.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Cancellation of individual registration
75.06 The Chief Registrar may cancel the registration of a Canadian vessel if the vessel becomes part of a fleet.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Non-application of provisions
75.07 The following provisions do not apply in respect of a fleet or a vessel of a fleet:
- (a) subsections 57(2) and (3);
- (b) section 58;
- (c) section 60;
- (d) section 62;
- (e) subsections 63(1) and (2);
- (f) section 73.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
For greater certainty
- 75.08 (1) For greater certainty, the following provisions apply in respect of a fleet or a vessel of a fleet:
- (a) section 56;
- (b) subsections 57(1) and (4);
- (c) subsections 63(3) and (4).
- Marginal note:
- Section 59
(2) Section 59 applies in respect of a fleet, except that the reference to “section 58” is to be read as a reference to “section 75.1”.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Marking — validity of fleet’s certificate of registry
- 75.09 (1) A fleet’s certificate of registry is not valid unless each of the fleet’s vessels has been marked in accordance with subsection 57(1).
- Marginal note:
- Maintenance of markings
(2) The authorized representative of a fleet shall ensure that each of the fleet’s vessels is kept marked.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Notification of changes — name and address
- 75.1 (1) The authorized representative of a fleet shall notify the Chief Registrar within 30 days after there has been a change in the owner’s or authorized representative’s name or address.
- Marginal note:
- Notification of changes — number of vessels
(2) If the number of vessels in a fleet changes to the extent that the fleet no longer corresponds with its description set out on the certificate of registry, its authorized representative shall, within 30 days after the change in number, notify the Chief Registrar and provide him or her with the relevant information and documents. - Marginal note:
- Notification of changes — owner
(3) If for any reason a fleet does not have an authorized representative, its owner shall- (a) notify the Chief Registrar of that fact as soon as possible in the circumstances; and
- (b) notify the Chief Registrar within 30 days after any event referred to in subsection (1) or (2) occurs.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Suspension and cancellation
- 75.11 (1) Subject to the regulations, the Chief Registrar may suspend or cancel the registration of a fleet if
- (a) any one of the fleet’s vessels is not marked in accordance with subsection 57(1);
- (b) the fleet’s certificate of registry has expired;
- (c) the fleet does not have an authorized representative; or
- (d) section 75.1 has not been complied with.
- Marginal note:
- Cancellation — fleet
(2) Subject to the regulations, the Chief Registrar must cancel the registration of a fleet if it no longer qualifies for registration under this Part. - Marginal note:
- Evidence
(3) The Chief Registrar must cancel the registration of a fleet if a person who acquires the fleet does not, within the prescribed period, provide evidence that satisfies the Chief Registrar that the fleet still qualifies for registration under this Part.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Reinstatement
75.12 The Chief Registrar may reinstate the registration of a fleet if, in his or her opinion, the registration of the fleet should not have been canceled.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Delivery of certificate
75.13 A person who is in possession of a fleet’s certificate of registry shall deliver it to the person who is entitled to operate the fleet.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Change of ownership
75.14 If the ownership of a fleet changes and the fleet still qualifies to be registered under this Part,
- (a) the owner must provide the Chief Registrar with the evidence, including declarations, that the Chief Registrar considers necessary to establish that the fleet still qualifies to be so registered; and
- (b) the Chief Registrar must amend the Register and the certificate of registry to reflect the change.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Entries
Marginal note:
Copies of entries
76 A person may examine or obtain copies of any entries in the Register with respect to a vessel or fleet.
- 2001, c. 26, s. 76
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Previous Version
Regulations
Marginal note:
Regulations
77 The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Part, including regulations
- (a) respecting the registration of vessels and fleets and the listing and recording of vessels;
- (b) respecting the issuance and renewal of certificates of registry;
- (c) respecting the suspension and cancellation of the registration of a Canadian vessel or a fleet, and the suspension and cancellation of the listing of a Canadian vessel;
- (d) respecting the naming and marking of vessels;
- (e) respecting the port of registration;
- (f) respecting the form and manner of notifying the Chief Registrar under sections 58 and 75.1;
- (g) respecting the evidence that owners of vessels previously registered in a foreign state must provide to prove that the vessels are no longer registered in the foreign state;
- (h) respecting the calculation of the tonnage of vessels and the issuance of certificates of tonnage; and
- (h.1) respecting the exemption of vessels or classes of vessels from the registration requirement in subsection 46(1);
- (h.2) authorizing the Minister to exempt, by order, vessels or classes of vessels from the registration requirement in subsection 46(1) for the period specified in the regulations and on any terms and conditions that he or she considers appropriate, if he or she is of the opinion that the exemption is not likely to adversely affect marine safety, and authorizing the Minister to amend or revoke an exemption;
- (h.3) respecting an authorization under paragraph (h.2); and
- (i) prescribing anything that may be prescribed under this Part.
- 2001, c. 26, s. 77
- 2011, c. 15, s. 43