When you first buy a boat, it can be a uniquely exciting time. All of a sudden, a whole new world of leisure is opened up to you, and you have the freedom to explore any of Canada’s nearly infinite bodies of water. Arriving at the point where you are ready to untie from the dock can call for a bit of a journey, though, as you likely know by now. At the outset, you had to research to figure out which type of boat was best for you, and then you had to do the legwork to find a seller that was willing to work within your budget. Once the keys to your boat are in your hands, however, all that grinding can seem very much worth it. In some cases, though, before you can start making waves, there might be a paperwork hurdle that you need to clear. For a select group of boat owners, this can mean applying for a boat registration in Canada. If you fall within the requirements of this documentation, you will be happy to know that you can work with us to submit your application online.
If hearing the words “boat registration” makes you think a bit about filling out forms for a car, it is understandable. In truth, a vessel registration is a lot like a motor vehicle registration in that it applies specifically to your boat. You may also need to apply for a boating license, which is sort of like a driver’s license for a motorized vessel. This document is also called a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), and it is obtained by completing an educational course and taking a competency exam administered by Transport Canada. When it comes to your boat registration, you should know that this documentation is available to all boat owners, though it is not required for all of them. Read on to learn more.
What is a Boat Registration in Canada?
For most boat owners who own leisure crafts, a simple pleasure craft license (PCL) will suffice. PCLs, to be more specific, are required when you have an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. When a boat is purchased with a bank loan (also called a marine mortgage), or if a vessel will be traveling on international waters under the Canadian flag, a vessel registration will be required. You will also need to register your boat if you plan to use it for any sort of commercial purpose.
You can apply for this document by completing Form 1 – Application for Vessel Registration, obtaining a tonnage measurement, and providing Transport Canada with photographs of all four sides of your vessel. You will also need to fill out Form 3 – Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration.
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