Canadian vessel documentation can be complicated. Often, we have vessel owners call us and say something like: “I need to get my registration renewed.” It’s only after talking to them for a bit do we realize that when they say “registration,” they actually mean “licence.” Yes, they are two separate, wholly different things. Luckily, at…
“Licence to boat.” Just reading the phrase can be enough to send your imagination aflame. Being able to go out on your own, on your vessel, legally and how you want: it’s a powerful, intoxicating kind of freedom. However, to get to that freedom, you have to go through so much. You have to find…
Change in life is inevitable. We all make plans on what we think or hope will happen, but sometimes, life throws us a proverbial curveball. Maybe you had planned on staying at your home for the rest of your life, but when an opportunity came up, you couldn’t pass it by. Or, perhaps you were…
Many steps can be involved when you decide that you want to buy a boat. Whether it is a vessel you plan to use for your business or a boat that you will use for recreation with your family and friends, you might not only go through looking at different ships for sale before deciding…
The commercial ship you have purchased is going to be a vital piece of your new business. You need to make sure it not only meets the needs you have for the services you plan to provide, but you also want to be sure that you are in complete compliance with the current laws so…
Transport Canada does so much for Canada. Most Canadians, even those whose livelihoods and lives revolve around the water, don’t realize exactly how much the department does for the country. This governmental department develops regulations and policies, as well as services beyond marine transportation, such as road, rail, and even air transportation too. With so…
Peace of mind doesn’t have a numerical value. You can’t go to any store, online or otherwise, and say: “I’d like one peace of mind for my Canadian ship, please.” However, it’s hard to enjoy anything without peace of mind. That certainly goes for any kind of boat. Here at the National Vessel Registry Center…
For many of us, preparation is important. Having a plan makes it easier to get everything done that you want to in the course of a day. Sure, things change, and it is always easy to get everything done that you want to get done, but planning ahead can make things just a little bit…
“Can you help me get my Alberta boat licence?” is one version of a question that we get quite often. Sure, maybe they don’t always specify “Alberta,” but the sentiment is the same. They want us to be able to help them to get the right licensing for their vessels. Sometimes we even answer that…
There are so many different functions and actions that are part of owning a vessel, many of which are fun and exciting: taking the boat out on the water, washing the boat, going through a day of work on it (if it’s non-commercial), or using it for recreation with friends and family. Filling out vessel…