Are you ready to head out to sea, drop your anchor, and start making lasting memories with your friends and loved ones? Well, if so, you are in luck, as another action-packed Canadian boating season is quickly approaching the horizon. In order to maximize your ability to enjoy Canada’s many pristine waterways, you may want to look closely at owning your own boat. With a vessel all your own, you are free to leave the dock whenever the urge hits, letting you get the most out of your evenings and weekends. It is worth noting, however, that a boat can be a considerable investment, and it also comes with a fair amount of responsibility. Once you have finalized the deal on the boat of your dreams, you are also going to want to make sure that you have the proper vessel documentation with Transport Canada. For many, this means acquiring a pleasure craft license (PCL), and if you are curious about licensing a boat in Ontario, we can show you how to do it online.
When it comes to places to launch your boat, there are not much better than the Canadian province of Ontario. Home to more than 250,000 lakes–roughly one-fifth of the entire world’s freshwater supply–Ontario offers truly endless opportunities for boating excursions. As these lakes are a great source of provincial and national pride, it is up to you as a responsible boat owner to help keep them safe and clean. One way in which you can do this is by keeping your documentation current with Transport Canada. As the nation’s main transportation agency for all things land and sea, Transport Canada issues licenses and registrations to boat owners across the country in order to better monitor and protect our waters. Read on to learn more about how you can get your PCL the easy way.
Licensing a Boat in Ontario: How Do You Do It?
So, you have bought yourself a boat. Before you gear up for an afternoon of waves and sunshine, you are going to want to apply for your PCL. This license is required for any motorized vessel with an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. To get your PCL, you will need to fill out an application that includes some basic information about yourself and your vessel. You will also need to submit a full-size photograph of your boat and a bill of sale to demonstrate proof of ownership to Transport Canada.
Once your PCL has been issued, you will be assigned a registration number that must be affixed to the sides of your boat’s bow. At the National Vessel Registry Center, we have online forms that allow you to apply for your PCL online with just a few clicks.
Get Your Forms Online
We have fillable web forms for PCLs, vessel registrations, and more. No matter what sort of Transport Canada documentation you need, we can help. To learn a bit more about our services, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page today.
