Boating is a pretty popular pastime in Canada. Of course, if you just take a look around, it is not hard to understand why. Our fair country is home to hundreds of thousands of lakes, countless rivers, and expansive coastlines. Add in the scenic, picturesque backdrops inherent to Canada, and you have yourself an outdoors enthusiast’s paradise. With that in mind, many lakes will have a high volume of boats on their waters during the warmer months. Be they on fishing vessels, yachts, or even simple canoes, many Canadians prefer to spend their leisure time out making waves with their loved ones. If you are thinking about finally committing to purchasing a boat of your own, this is undoubtedly an exciting time in your life. After perusing the many different options for makes and models, you have narrowed your search and made an offer on the boat of your dreams. Provided that the seller accepts, you will soon be holding the keys to your new hobby of choice. Before you head out on the water, though, you should probably make sure you have boat registration numbers.
With so many boats operating our waters, it stands to reason that there would be a way to identify them. Registration numbers–and in some cases, names–are assigned by Transport Canada. This agency, which is headquartered in Ottawa, manages all transportation regulatory matters on both land and sea. If you are just beginning your boat ownership journey, you can expect to fill out some Transport Canada paperwork. Whether you are seeking a pleasure craft license (PCL) or a vessel registration, working with a private service such as ours at the National Vessel Registry Center can help you get the documentation that you need online. Read on to learn more.
What Are Boat Registration Numbers?
If you have spent any amount of time around boats, you have probably noticed that they often feature an alphanumeric string of digits somewhere on their exterior. This is what is called a registration number, and it is obtained by applying for a pleasure craft license. In Canada, any motorized vessel with an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more will need to get a PCL. These licenses are available to all, though, and they do afford boat owners some peace of mind as they serve to help identify boats that are lost or stolen.
To get a PCL, you will need to complete an application form, and provide a bill of sale and full-size photograph of your vessel to Transport Canada. Once issued, you will receive a registration number, which must be displayed in characters of at least three inches in height on both sides of your boat’s bow. Your number should also clearly contrast with the color of your boat.
Get a PCL the Easy Way
We can help you apply for a PCL online using our simplified web forms. We also have fillable documents for a number of other Transport Canada matters. To learn more about what we can do for you, visit our useful Frequently Asked Questions page today.