Inside the Passenger Cabin
While wearing a life jacket is highly recommended, it may be optional on the open deck of certain vessels. However, it’s crucial to avoid wearing one inside the passenger cabin, as it could hinder a safe and quick escape during an emergency.
That said, even if you do plan on spending the majority of if not the entirety of your journey inside the passenger cabin, always make sure you know where the life jackets are stored.
Additionally, check that they are easily accessible, and that they fit you appropriately.
Parents or guardians should verify that there are enough life jackets in the correct sizes for any children joining the outing before the vessel departs. Every vessel, pleasure craft or registered, should have safety equipment.
Use this link to apply for a pleasure craft licence.
Pleasure Craft Licence Help and More
Our specialty is helping vessel owners navigate Canadian registration and licensing requirements. Whether your vessel is a pleasure craft or part of the Small or Large Vessel Register, our services are designed to save you time and effort.
You can easily handle acquiring, renewing, or transferring your vessel license, among other tasks, all from our user-friendly site. Simplify the process and keep your vessel compliant without hassle.
If you have any questions about what your vessel needs in terms of documents or so much more, feel free to reach out.
Your vessel may need to be in compliance with the following laws:
Certificate of registry
- 75.03 (1) The Chief Registrar must issue a certificate of registry in respect of a fleet that he or she registers, and the certificate is valid for the period that he or she specifies.
- Marginal note:
- Information
(2) A certificate of registry in respect of a fleet must contain the information specified by the Chief Registrar, including- (a) a description of the fleet;
- (b) the fleet’s official number; and
- (c) the name and address of the owner and the authorized representative of the fleet.
- Marginal note:
- Description — number of vessels
(3) In the fleet’s description, the Chief Registrar must specify either the number of vessels that are to be part of the fleet or the minimum and maximum numbers of vessels that can be part of it. - Marginal note:
- Official number
(4) The fleet’s official number is also the official number of each vessel of that fleet. - Marginal note:
- Authorized representative of fleet
(5) The authorized representative of a fleet is the authorized representative, as determined under section 14, of the vessels of that fleet and must be the same authorized representative for all of the fleet’s vessels. - (6) [Repealed, 2023, c. 26, s. 367]
- Marginal note:
- Acts or omissions of authorized representative binding
(7) The owner of a fleet is bound by the acts or omissions of the authorized representative of the fleet with respect to all matters assigned by this Act to that representative.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
- 2023, c. 26, s. 367
Previous Version
Marginal note:
Refusal to issue, renew or amend certificate
75.031 Despite any other provision of this Act, the Chief Registrar may refuse to issue or renew a certificate of registry in respect of a fleet, or to amend one under paragraph 75.14(b), if the applicant for, or holder of, the certificate is in default of payment of a required fee, charge, cost or expense in respect of that fleet or a vessel of that fleet under this Act or the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act.
- 2023, c. 26, s. 368
Marginal note:
Addition or removal of vessels
75.04 Subject to subsection 75.1(2), an owner of a fleet may, after the fleet is registered, add a vessel to the fleet or remove a vessel from it. However, any vessel that is to be added must
- (a) be owned by the same owner as all of the other vessels of the fleet;
- (b) satisfy the conditions set out in paragraphs 75.02(1)(b) and (c); and
- (c) fit within the description or particulars set out in the fleet’s certificate of registry.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Vessels registered
- 75.05 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a vessel that is or becomes part of a fleet is considered to be registered under this Part and, for greater certainty, is a Canadian vessel.
- Marginal note:
- No longer registered
(2) Unless it becomes part of another fleet, such a vessel ceases to be registered under this Part if- (a) there is a change in its ownership; or
- (b) it is altered to the extent that it no longer fits within the description or particulars set out in the fleet’s certificate of registry.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Cancellation of individual registration
75.06 The Chief Registrar may cancel the registration of a Canadian vessel if the vessel becomes part of a fleet.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Non-application of provisions
75.07 The following provisions do not apply in respect of a fleet or a vessel of a fleet:
- (a) subsections 57(2) and (3);
- (b) section 58;
- (c) section 60;
- (d) section 62;
- (e) subsections 63(1) and (2);
- (f) section 73.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
For greater certainty
- 75.08 (1) For greater certainty, the following provisions apply in respect of a fleet or a vessel of a fleet:
- (a) section 56;
- (b) subsections 57(1) and (4);
- (c) subsections 63(3) and (4).
- Marginal note:
- Section 59
(2) Section 59 applies in respect of a fleet, except that the reference to “section 58” is to be read as a reference to “section 75.1”.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Marking — validity of fleet’s certificate of registry
- 75.09 (1) A fleet’s certificate of registry is not valid unless each of the fleet’s vessels has been marked in accordance with subsection 57(1).
- Marginal note:
- Maintenance of markings
(2) The authorized representative of a fleet shall ensure that each of the fleet’s vessels is kept marked.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Notification of changes — name and address
- 75.1 (1) The authorized representative of a fleet shall notify the Chief Registrar within 30 days after there has been a change in the owner’s or authorized representative’s name or address.
- Marginal note:
- Notification of changes — number of vessels
(2) If the number of vessels in a fleet changes to the extent that the fleet no longer corresponds with its description set out on the certificate of registry, its authorized representative shall, within 30 days after the change in number, notify the Chief Registrar and provide him or her with the relevant information and documents. - Marginal note:
- Notification of changes — owner
(3) If for any reason a fleet does not have an authorized representative, its owner shall- (a) notify the Chief Registrar of that fact as soon as possible in the circumstances; and
- (b) notify the Chief Registrar within 30 days after any event referred to in subsection (1) or (2) occurs.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Suspension and cancellation
- 75.11 (1) Subject to the regulations, the Chief Registrar may suspend or cancel the registration of a fleet if
- (a) any one of the fleet’s vessels is not marked in accordance with subsection 57(1);
- (b) the fleet’s certificate of registry has expired;
- (c) the fleet does not have an authorized representative; or
- (d) section 75.1 has not been complied with.
- Marginal note:
- Cancellation — fleet
(2) Subject to the regulations, the Chief Registrar must cancel the registration of a fleet if it no longer qualifies for registration under this Part. - Marginal note:
- Evidence
(3) The Chief Registrar must cancel the registration of a fleet if a person who acquires the fleet does not, within the prescribed period, provide evidence that satisfies the Chief Registrar that the fleet still qualifies for registration under this Part.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Reinstatement
75.12 The Chief Registrar may reinstate the registration of a fleet if, in his or her opinion, the registration of the fleet should not have been canceled.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Delivery of certificate
75.13 A person who is in possession of a fleet’s certificate of registry shall deliver it to the person who is entitled to operate the fleet.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Marginal note:
Change of ownership
75.14 If the ownership of a fleet changes and the fleet still qualifies to be registered under this Part,
- (a) the owner must provide the Chief Registrar with the evidence, including declarations, that the Chief Registrar considers necessary to establish that the fleet still qualifies to be so registered; and
- (b) the Chief Registrar must amend the Register and the certificate of registry to reflect the change.
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Entries
Marginal note:
Copies of entries
76 A person may examine or obtain copies of any entries in the Register with respect to a vessel or fleet.
- 2001, c. 26, s. 76
- 2011, c. 15, s. 42
Previous Version
Regulations
Marginal note:
Regulations
77 The Governor in Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, make regulations for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Part, including regulations
- (a) respecting the registration of vessels and fleets and the listing and recording of vessels;
- (b) respecting the issuance and renewal of certificates of registry;
- (c) respecting the suspension and cancellation of the registration of a Canadian vessel or a fleet, and the suspension and cancellation of the listing of a Canadian vessel;
- (d) respecting the naming and marking of vessels;
- (e) respecting the port of registration;
- (f) respecting the form and manner of notifying the Chief Registrar under sections 58 and 75.1;
- (g) respecting the evidence that owners of vessels previously registered in a foreign state must provide to prove that the vessels are no longer registered in the foreign state;
- (h) respecting the calculation of the tonnage of vessels and the issuance of certificates of tonnage; and
- (h.1) respecting the exemption of vessels or classes of vessels from the registration requirement in subsection 46(1);
- (h.2) authorizing the Minister to exempt, by order, vessels or classes of vessels from the registration requirement in subsection 46(1) for the period specified in the regulations and on any terms and conditions that he or she considers appropriate, if he or she is of the opinion that the exemption is not likely to adversely affect marine safety, and authorizing the Minister to amend or revoke an exemption;
- (h.3) respecting an authorization under paragraph (h.2); and
- (i) prescribing anything that may be prescribed under this Part.
- 2001, c. 26, s. 77
- 2011, c. 15, s. 43
Previous Version
Offences and Punishment
Marginal note:
Contravention of Act or regulations
- 78 (1) Every person commits an offence who contravenes
- (a) subsection 57(4) (wilfully defacing, altering, concealing or removing markings); or
- (b) a provision of the regulations made under paragraph 77(h).
- Marginal note:
- Punishment
(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or to both.
Marginal note:
Contravention of Act or regulations
- 79 (1) Every person commits an offence who contravenes
- (a) subsection 46(2) (register vessel);
- (b) an order made under subsection 52(4) (renaming of vessel);
- (c) subsection 57(1) (mark vessel);
- (d) subsection 57(3) (maintenance of markings);
- (e) subsection 58(1) (notify of changes — authorized representative);
- (f) subsection 58(2) (notify of alteration — authorized representative);
- (g) subsection 58(3) (notify if no authorized representative — owner);
- (h) subsection 58(4) (notify of completion of construction);
- (i) subsection 63(1) (operation of vessel without a certificate on board);
- (j) subsection 63(2) (deliver certificate to person entitled to operate vessel);
- (k) subsection 63(3) (deliver certificate to Chief Registrar);
- (l) subsection 64(2) (fly Canadian flag);
- (l.1) subsection 75.09(2) (maintenance of markings);
- (l.2) subsection 75.1(1) (notification of changes — name and address);
- (l.3) subsection 75.1(2) (notification of changes — number of vessels);
- (l.4) subsection 75.1(3) (notification of changes — owner);
- (l.5) section 75.13 (delivery of certificate); or
- (m) a provision of the regulations made under any of paragraphs 77(a) to (g).
- Marginal note:
- Punishment
(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not more than $25,000. - Marginal note:
- Continuing offence
(3) If an offence under paragraph (1)(a) or (c) is committed or continued on more than one day, the person who committed it is liable to be convicted for a separate offence for each day on which it is committed or continued.
- 2001, c. 26, s. 79
- 2011, c. 15, s. 44
- 2023, c. 26, s. 369