There is a fine of $250 if you are found to be operating a vessel without a valid licence. However, if you decided to register your vessel instead of licensing it, there is no fine.
Vessel Registration FAQs
CAN I LAMINATE MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?WHAT VESSELS ARE EXEMPT?WHAT IS A BARE-BOAT CHARTERED VESSEL?HOW LONG IS THE CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION VALID?MUST I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION BY MAIL?MUST MY VESSEL BE DOCUMENTED?HOW DO I KNOW IF MY VESSEL MEASURES FIVE NET TONS?WHAT ARE THE MARKING REQUIREMENTS?CAN A DINGHY HAVE THE SAME OFFICIAL NUMBER AS A REGISTERED VESSEL?HOW DO I REQUEST PRIORITY HANDLING?WHAT IS VESSEL DOCUMENTATIONWHAT IS A JOINT OWNER?WHERE CAN I GET FORMS FOR DOCUMENTATION?WHAT VESSELS CAN BE DOCUMENTED?HOW DO I RENEW MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE LOST OR MISPLACED MY CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRY?MAY I RENEW A LOST CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION?WHAT VESSELS MAY BE DOCUMENTED?SHOULD I RETURN THE CERTIFICATE OF DOCUMENTATION WITH THE RENEWAL NOTICE?WHEN A VESSEL IS EITHER SUSPENDED OR CLOSE, IS THE NAME AVAILABLE?