Yes, if your vessel is over 10 hp and it has not been registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels. A pleasure craft licence provides a unique identification number – commonly referred to as the “licence number” – that you must display on your recreational vessel, as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. This licence number helps law-enforcement and search and rescue officials trace a pleasure craft to its owner.
Vessel Registration FAQs
Can I Request My Documentation is Prioritized?WHAT VESSELS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?WHAT VESSELS ARE EXEMPT?What Vessels May Be Registered? SHOULD I RETURN THE CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION WITH THE RENEWAL NOTICE?DO I NEED A PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?How Do I Prove Ownership of My Vessel? What is a Bareboat Charter?WHERE DO I DISPLAY MY PLEASURE CRAFT LICENCE?HOW DO I OBTAIN TITLE INFORMATION FOR A DOCUMENTED VESSEL?WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE LOST OR MISPLACED MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF DOCUMENTATION?What Makes a Boat a “Pleasure Craft?”WHAT IS A JOINT OWNER?HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?Where Can My Port of Registry Be? HOW DO I CHANGE THE NAME OR PORT OF REGISTRY OF MY VESSEL?WHAT HAPPENS TO THE VESSEL WHEN ONE JOINT OWNER DIES?How Can I Learn the History of a Vessel?I Have a Pleasure Craft But a Friend Paid for Gas. Do I Have to Register My Vessel?