If you are looking to legally place a foreign-flagged boat into Canadian service without permanently transferring ownership, registering bareboat charters in Canada is the correct path.
This process allows a qualified charterer to temporarily register a boat in Canada while the original foreign registration is suspended for the duration of the charter.
Our service provides direct access to the required Transport Canada forms and filing pathways.
Registering a bareboat charter is not the same as Canadian boat registration for ownership, small boat registration, or applying for a pleasure craft licence. It is a distinct registry option designed specifically for long-term charter arrangements where control of the boat transfers to the charterer.
What Makes a Charter a Bareboat Charter
A bareboat charter is defined by control, not by ownership. Transport Canada focuses on who has possession and operational authority over the boat during the charter period.
The control test Transport Canada applies looks at:
- Who appoints and pays the crew
- Who is responsible for maintenance, insurance, and daily operation
- Who decides how and where the boat is used
If the owner supplies the crew or retains operational control, the arrangement is not considered a bareboat charter. Instead, it becomes a time charter and does not qualify for entry into the Canadian bareboat registry.
In a valid bareboat charter:
- The charterer operates the boat as if they were the owner for the charter term
- The owner steps back from day-to-day involvement
- The charterer assumes legal responsibility for compliance while the charter is active
This distinction is critical when filing applications for bareboat charters in Canada, as Transport Canada reviews charter agreements carefully for possession and control language.
Legal Standing of the Charterer During the Charter Term
A bareboat charter is often referred to as a demise charter because the charterer becomes the owner pro hac vice, meaning owner for this specific occasion.
This legal status means:
- The charterer is treated as the owner for registration purposes
- The charterer’s name appears on the Canadian bareboat certificate
- The owner’s foreign registration is suspended, not cancelled
This temporary ownership status is what allows a foreign-flagged boat to operate under Canadian registration without changing title. It also separates bareboat registration from Canadian boat registration for purchased boats or registration of a government vessel, which follow entirely different rules.
Who Is Eligible to Register a Bareboat Charter in Canada
Eligibility is determined by the charterer, not the owner.
A charterer must be a qualified person, which generally includes:
- Canadian citizens
- Permanent residents of Canada
- Canadian-incorporated corporations
In 2026, foreign-owned companies can still qualify if they operate through a properly established Canadian subsidiary or branch that meets Transport Canada’s requirements.
This means:
- A foreign parent company can charter a boat to its Canadian entity
- The Canadian entity becomes the registered bareboat charterer
- The charter can be registered in Canada for the agreed term
Our service provides the official Transport Canada forms used to establish eligibility and submit charter details.
Foreign Registry Suspension and the Dual-Registry Rule
Canada does not allow a boat to be active on two national registries at the same time. Before a bareboat registration can be issued, the existing foreign registration must be formally suspended.
Transport Canada requires proof of suspension in the form of a Letter of Consent from the foreign registry. This letter confirms:
- The boat’s foreign registration is suspended for the charter duration
- The foreign registry consents to temporary Canadian registration
- The boat will return to the foreign registry after the charter ends
Common issuing authorities include:
- The U.S. Coast Guard
- Caribbean and offshore registries
- European flag states
Without this suspension letter, bareboat charters in Canada cannot be approved, regardless of how complete the rest of the application may be.
Where applicable, Transport Canada’s requirements are guided by Canadian maritime laws, which are published through official federal legislation and policy frameworks.
Forms Required for Bareboat Charter Registration
Transport Canada relies on specific forms for bareboat charter filings. Our service provides direct access to these official forms in one place.
Commonly required forms include:
- Application for Bareboat Registry (Form 18)
- Statutory declarations supporting charterer eligibility
- Supporting ownership and registry information
We do not collect documents on your behalf, negotiate charter terms, or secure third-party approvals. Our role is to make the required forms accessible and usable so you can file accurately and efficiently.
The Charter Party Agreement and Control Clauses
The charter party agreement is one of the most closely reviewed elements of a bareboat application.
Transport Canada looks for clear language showing:
- Full possession and control transferred to the charterer
- Responsibility for crewing, maintenance, and operation
- Absence of owner involvement during the charter
Submitting heavily redacted agreements often leads to delays. While commercial terms can be protected, the operational and control clauses must be visible.
Fees for Bareboat Registration in 2026
As of 2026, Transport Canada charges a fee of $482.69 for issuing a bareboat charter certificate.
This fee applies when:
- Registering a foreign-flagged boat into Canada under bareboat
- Issuing the official bareboat certificate
The fee is separate from:
- Small boat registration fees
- Pleasure craft licence applications
- Standard Canadian boat registration for ownership
Our service makes it easier to identify the correct filing path so you apply under the correct registry and avoid unnecessary costs.
Tonnage Measurement and Boat Length Considerations
Boat size affects whether additional documentation is required.
For boats over 12 metres:
- A Canadian Tonnage Certificate may be required
- Measurements must meet Transport Canada standards
Smaller boats may not require tonnage measurement, but they still must meet all eligibility and suspension requirements for bareboat charters in Canada.
This process is entirely separate from small boat registration, which applies to different use cases and does not involve foreign registry suspension.
Operating a Bareboat-Registered Boat in Canada
Once registered, a bareboat-registered boat:
- Operates under Canadian registration during the charter
- Must comply with Canadian operational requirements
- Uses its Canadian bareboat certificate for legal operation
This does not convert the boat into a permanently Canadian-owned asset, nor does it replace a pleasure craft licence where one would otherwise apply. Each registry serves a different purpose, and Transport Canada treats them accordingly.
Charter-Out: Registering a Canadian Boat Abroad Under Bareboat
Bareboat registration also works in reverse.
If you own a Canadian-registered boat and wish to charter it to a foreign charterer, you may register the boat out of Canada under a bareboat arrangement.
This process involves:
- Suspending the Canadian registration
- Paying the same $482.69 suspension fee in 2026
- Registering the boat temporarily in the foreign jurisdiction
After the charter ends, the boat can return to Canadian registration without transferring ownership.
Our service provides access to the forms required for both charter-in and charter-out filings, supporting bareboat charters in Canada from either direction.
How Bareboat Registration Differs From Other Forms of Registration
Bareboat registration is often confused with other options, but it stands alone.
It is not the same as:
- Canadian boat registration for ownership
- Small boat registration for domestic use
- A pleasure craft licence for recreational boats
- Registration of a government vessel
Each registry has its own eligibility rules, forms, and legal effects. Bareboat charters in Canada exist specifically to address long-term charter scenarios involving foreign-flagged boats and temporary operational control.
How Our Service Supports Bareboat Charter Filings
We focus on making the registration process easier by centralizing access to official Transport Canada forms and filing pathways.
Our service helps you:
- Access current bareboat registration forms
- Identify the correct registry path for your charter
- Avoid applying under the wrong registration category
We do not negotiate charter agreements, gather documents, or obtain third-party approvals. We provide the tools that allow you to use your existing documents to apply for the registration outcome you need.
Using Bareboat Registration as a Strategic Option
For operators, charterers, and international companies, bareboat charters in Canada offer flexibility without permanent ownership transfer. This approach allows boats to operate legally in Canadian waters while respecting foreign registry rights and Canadian maritime laws.
By understanding eligibility, suspension requirements, fees, and filing expectations, charterers can move forward with confidence and clarity.
When you are ready to file, our service ensures you have direct access to the official forms required to register bareboat charters in Canada correctly and efficiently.