If you are just getting into boating, Ontario is where you want to be. Why this humble Canadian province, you ask? Well, Ontario is home to more than 250,000 lakes. You read that right. That means Ontario hosts nearly one-fifth of the entire world’s freshwater supply. With such a high volume of lakes, you will never run out of options when it comes to places to boat. With your destination firmly in mind, you can get back to researching the type of boat that is right for you. Whether you are shopping for a new or used vessel, there are plenty of options available on Canada’s bustling marine marketplace. Once you have keyed in on the right boat for you, found a seller nearby, and negotiated a fair price, you are nearly ready to launch your boat in one of Ontario’s thousands of lakes. First, though, you may need to complete some documentation with Transport Canada. In assessing all of the documents out there, you may be wondering, how do I register a boat in Ontario?
Just like you have to register a car with the motor vehicles authority, you may need to perform a similar process with your boat. If you think about it, it does make sense–boats can be large, powerful, and dangerous when operated incorrectly. That last bit is why you may need to start out by obtaining a boating license, which is also called a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC). You can get your very own PCOC by taking a short educational course and passing Transport Canada’s requisite exam. Your boat may need some specific documentation as well, which typically comes in the form of a Pleasure Craft License (PCL), or vessel registration. Read on to learn more.
How Do I Register a Boat in Ontario? Get the Facts
If you are looking to use your boat for recreational purposes only, you likely can get by with just a PCL. PCLs are required in Canada for any boat with an engine of 7.5 kW or more. If you have plans to travel on international waters under the Canadian flag, or if you are using your boat for any sort of commercial means, you will need to apply for vessel registration. If you financed the purchase of your boat with a bank loan, you will also need to have it registered.
To get started on applying for your vessel registration, you will need to complete some forms. You can begin with Form 1 – Application for Vessel Registration. Next, you will want to fill out Form 3 – Statement of Qualification for Vessel Registration. You will also need to obtain a tonnage measurement and provide four photographs of your vessel (one of each side) to Transport Canada. Proof of ownership is also compulsory, and this can be done by attaching a bill of sale to your application.
Use Our Web Forms Today
We make it easy to register your boat online. Simply select the appropriate option in our navigation menu and complete our fillable forms. To learn more, you can visit our thorough Frequently Asked Questions page.
