British Columbia (BC) is one of Canada’s premier tourist and vacation destinations–and for good reason. Between the breathtaking vistas afforded by the mountains and wilderness and the sprawling Pacific coastline, there are countless ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Vancouver and beyond. If you happen to be a boat owner, there are not many better places to launch your vessel than the lakes or coastlines of British Columbia. Whether you happen to be a resident, or if you are just planning to visit, there are a couple of things you will need to take care of before you take your boat out. First, you will want to make sure it is fueled up and stocked with everything you will need for a leisurely day out on the water. Next, there may be some paperwork matters to address. Should you find yourself needing a BC pleasure craft license (PCL), there is no need to stress. By working with a private service such as ours at the National Vessel Registry Center, you can apply for what you need online with just a few clicks.
Owning a boat can give you an awesome recreational pastime. Make no mistake about it, Canadian winters can be long and tough, but those warm, summer months when you can get out on the lake can make it all worthwhile. While a boat can be a great source of leisure, it also comes with a fair amount of responsibility. Much like a car, you may need a boating license to operate a motorized vessel. This is officially called a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC) and is obtained by passing Transport Canada’s competency exam. Your boat may also require documentation in the form of a vessel registration or pleasure craft license. Read on to learn more about when a license may be required, as well as how you can get yours online.
Who Needs a BC Pleasure Craft License?
Not all boats require a pleasure craft license in Canada, though they are available to all who want them. Many boat owners find that there is peace of mind that comes with having their investment documented with Transport Canada. Specifically, though, a PCL is required when a boat has an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more. You can obtain a PCL by filling out an application and providing a full-size photograph and proof of ownership of your vessel to Transport Canada for processing.
You can complete this process by using our streamlined web forms. Simply select the PCL option from our navigation menu and follow our easy-to-read prompts. You can then upload your supplemental materials via our secure, SSL-encrypted web portal.
Get Your PCL Today!
Whether you need a PCL, a vessel registration, or a number of other Transport Canada documents, we can help you get what you need online. To learn more, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, or take a few minutes to explore our website.
