Purchasing a boat is a sizable financial commitment. As with any investment, it is wise to do your due diligence when buying a boat, be it a small pleasure craft, a large yacht, or a commercial vessel. If you are in the market for a used boat, this is especially true. You want to know where your boat has been, who has owned it, and if it has been involved in any accidents. Transcripts and historical research can provide you with just the information that you are looking for.
Buying a used boat is not unlike buying a used car. Brokers and sellers on the secondary market can offer great value on a previously owned boat, but acquiring transcripts on a potential vessel can help you know that you are making a sound investment. Understanding how historical research and transcripts work for Canadian vessels can give you peace of mind when entering a sale.
What Are Transcripts And Historical Research?
When a boat is registered with Transport Canada, it is entered into the database of registered vessels, and a line of documentation begins. A registration history can provide helpful information on a vessel’s ownership history. Even if the boat you are inquiring about is no longer registered, it will still be in Transport Canada’s database if it was registered previously. This comprehensive registry is often highly useful for Canadian boat owners.
From 1984 on, all registration data is available via computer. This means that historical information for registered, closed, or suspended vessels can be accessed from the Ship Registration Computer Database. For vessels registered before 1984, information can be acquired on microfilm.
Requirements And Fees
In some cases, fees are required for obtaining historical research and transcripts. Costs can depend on the specific type of information that you are looking for. In the case of transcripts, certified and non-certified copies carry different costs. A certified version of a vessel’s transcripts is $50 from the Canadian Registry of Vessels, while a non-certified copy is $20. It’s worth noting that a non-certified transcript should only be used for general purposes. Any legal or official matter should call for a certified transcript.
For active vessels, Transport Canada collects a fee of $5. Non-active vessels are $10. There is no fee for vessels registered between 1787 and 1966. When seeking any vessel research, you will want to make sure that you have the vessel’s name and registration number.
Let The National Vessel Registry Help You
As you put a considerable amount of time, money, and research into your boat purchase, you understand that everything must be done correctly. Do not navigate the historical research and transcripts acquisition process alone. Our experienced service representatives can help you ensure that all forms are filled out completely and your request is processed via the correct channels.
