When it comes to places to launch a boat, it is hard to beat what Canada has to offer. A nation that is dotted with hundreds of thousands of lakes, ample coastlines, and a number of pristine, winding rivers, Canada is a true haven for boaters. Just as there are different types of bodies of water for boating, so too are there many different types of boats, all of which can serve a unique use. Depending on how you plan to utilize your vessel during the boating season, you may need to acquire specific documentation from Transport Canada. As the nation’s leading transportation agency for all matters water-related, Transport Canada issues licenses and registrations to boaters all over the country. Should you meet the requirements for a Transport Canada boat registration, we can help you apply for yours online with just a few clicks.
When you first begin driving an automobile, it is required by law that you first obtain a driver’s license. When you purchase a car, you also need to register it. Well, there are similar processes that play out in the world of boat ownership. A boating license, officially called a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), demonstrates that you have a basic competency for operating a motorized vessel. A boat license, often referred to as a pleasure craft license (PCL), applies to all motorized vessels with engines of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. Vessel registration, though it sounds similar, actually applies to a different subset of boating utilities.
Do You Need a Transport Canada Boat Registration?
So, which vessels require a registration document from Transport Canada? Well, any boat that is financed with a marine mortgage or travels abroad under the Canadian flag must be registered. This is also true for any boat used for commercial purposes, such as commercial fishing or operating sightseeing charters. When a boat is registered, it is assigned a 100 percent unique name of the owner’s choosing, and given an official number. Any vessel can be registered, even if it does not meet the official requirements. Registered vessels also do not need to apply for pleasure craft licenses.
To get your vessel registration, there is a process that you will want to follow. You will need to complete Form 1 – Application for Vessel Registration, along with Form 3 – Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration–both of these forms will prompt you for some basic information about yourself and your boat. You will also need to take photographs of all four sides of your boat and obtain a tonnage measurement and bill of sale. Once you have assembled all of these items, you can submit them to Transport Canada for processing.
Register Your Vessel Online
We can help you register your boat online. Simply locate the appropriate forms on our navigation menu and provide the information listed in the prompts. We also use an SSL-encrypted web portal for the secure transmission of your applications and supplemental materials. To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
