In Canada, when you buy a new boat, the boat licence will have to be transferred to you. When you buy or sell a licensed pleasure craft, a Transfer of Pleasure Craft Licence makes sure the official records match the new owner. Many boat owners overlook this obligation and assume that the vessel’s licence remains…
It is important for licensed boaters in Canada to renew pleasure craft licence with authorities. Many owners believe a pleasure craft licence lasts forever. In reality, the renewal process allows records to remain active and accurate. The PCL requirements safeguard safety, identification and accountability on Canadian waters. Renewal can avoid confusing records and unnecessary enforcement…
A Government Vessel Registration is a process for recording a vessel owned or operated under the authority of an entity that is a government. Registering a government vessel promotes accountability and clarity of operations in the Canadian waters. Government vessels may be different from private or commercial vessels, but they must be registered. Clear records…
In Canada, most recreational boat owners are legally required to obtain a New Pleasure Craft Licence. When you buy a new or used pleasure craft, a New Pleasure Craft Licence ensures your boat is on the record. A boat licence links you to your watercraft. It also helps authorities identify your vessel when required. Many…
When the original licence is lost, damaged or unreadable, Duplicate Pleasure Craft Licence is a must. A lot of boat owners only see the boat insurance on the policy when stopped for inspection. A Duplicate of Pleasure Craft Licence is a valid document, just like an original Pleasure Craft Licence. Operators may be faced with…
The government registration of ships in Canada is fundamental to the enforcement of legal obligations imposed by laws, regulations, government policy, administrative action and functional regulations over vessels owned by public authorities. Government registration is also an affirmation of the ownership of a vessel by the government, and entitlement to reap the benefits of flying…
Changing the name of a registered ship in Canada seems simple, but it is a legal and administrative process. Transport Canada governs this process under the Change of Vessel Name procedure. This procedure ensures that registered ships always have a consistent, traceable and complete set of records. It is important to understand this process for…
Bare-Boat Chartered Vessels in the Canadian context represent a type of vessel registration and operation. A vessel on a bare boat charter is placed under the supervision and control of an entity while the legal title remains that of the owner. The charterer is responsible for crewing, maintenance, and navigation. Bare-boat, or demise, charters are…
For commercial operators, it is not just red tape but part of a legal obligation. Small commercial vessel registry forms act as a critical resource for proving compliance, ownership, and the right to operate. These forms form the basis of the Canadian small commercial vessel registration system while also indicating that each operator must comply…
While owning a boat can be an enjoyable experience, it is still an obligation and recreational boat owners in Canada are most often called upon to fulfill requirements such as Pleasure Craft Licencing Forms. These forms are intended to ensure that all boats can be traced and so protect owners and waterway users. Licencing is…