When you own your own boat, you aim to spend every free weekend–and evenings, if you can–out on the water. Who can blame you? Canadian summers are best enjoyed while taking in the great outdoors. With the sun on your skin and the wind at your back, cruising and making waves and memories with your friends and loved ones is a great way to spend an afternoon. Buying a boat can unlock countless hours of rest and relaxation, but it is not always an easy process. For example, boats can be pretty expensive. Before you pull the trigger on the new or previously-owned vessel of your dreams, you are going to want to perform a fair amount of research. This means getting to know the various different types of makes and models out on the market. Additionally, you will want to account for docking and maintenance fees that are sure to arise. With your new boat firmly in your possession, you will also want to make sure that you have the proper Transport Canada documentation. For some, this means obtaining an Alberta boating license.
Not unlike a motor vehicle or airplane, boats can require certain forms of licensing and registration. This is typically carried out with Transport Canada. As the nation’s main transportation agency for all things land- and sea-related, you can expect to process paperwork with Transport Canada here and there during your time as a boat owner. By staying on top of your documentation matters, you can make sure that you are current on all of your licensing needs, affording you more peace of mind when hitting the lake. Failing to keep your licenses current can keep you stuck on land, which is a situation that no boater wishes to find themselves in.
When to Seek Out an Alberta Boating License
Before you start looking for the proper Transport Canada paperwork for your vessel, you may want to gain a sense of just what it is you will need. For most boaters in Canada–at least those of the recreational sort–a simple Pleasure Craft License (PCL) will typically suffice. This document specifically applies to any motorized vessel with an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. Any boat, however, can apply for a PCL, and many boat owners appreciate the registration aspect that comes along with it, as it can be of help should your boat go lost or missing.
You can apply for a PCL by completing a simple application and providing a bill of sale (proof of ownership) and a photograph of your vessel to Transport Canada. While you have the option to fill out paper applications and submit them via mail, you can also work with a private online service such as ours at the National Vessel Registry Center.
Apply Online Today!
We have easy-to-fill online forms for all of your Transport Canada paperwork concerns. To learn more, take a minute to read our Frequently Asked Questions page, or explore some of our site’s offerings for yourself.
