Canada is home to some of the most breathtaking vistas and scenery on the face of the Earth. With so much pristine, untouched, sparsely populated land, our fair nation is an outdoors enthusiast’s paradise. For boaters, in particular, there is much to enjoy in this northern territory. British Columbia (BC), is especially favored as a province as it sits on the Pacific Ocean, and offers truly stunning inland rivers and waterways as well. Whether you happened to be a resident of Vancouver or the surrounding areas–or if you just plan to visit–you can hardly be blamed for wanting to get your boat in the water. Before you hitch up your boat to your truck, though, you should perform a quick assessment of your Transport Canada paperwork. If you need to obtain a BC boat license for the first time–or if yours has lapsed–it is smart to know the quickest, easiest way to rectify that situation. Fortunately, that’s where the National Vessel Registry Center can help.
While owning a boat can be a great source of leisure, as any boat owner will tell you, it can also be a lot of work. Keeping your boat clean and well-maintained can absorb a lot of your non-boating time. Boat ownership is also not cheap. Outside of the typically high price tags for purchasing a boat, fuel costs and docking fees can also quickly add up. If you are a boater, you also want to factor in the costs associated with Transport Canada documentation. Transport Canada is the government agency responsible for all transportation infrastructure concerns on both land and sea. During your days as a boat owner, you will need to submit paperwork to Transport Canada’s offices in Ottawa on occasion. The good news is, much of it can be handled over the web.
What is a BC Boat License?
There are a couple of different ways in which you can officially document a boat. While certain types of commercial vessels will require a formal registration, most boat owners will need a simple Pleasure Craft License (PCL). As its name would imply, a PCL is meant for boats that are used purely for leisure purposes. More precisely, PCLs are required for any motorized boats that have engines of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more. PCLs are valid in Canada for a period of 10 years, and they assign your vessel a registration number which is to be displayed on both sides of your boat’s bow.
So, how do you get a PCL for BC? Well, you will need to fill out a license application that will prompt you for some basic details about yourself and your boat. You will also need to provide a full-size picture of your vessel, along with proof of ownership. By using our web forms, you can do all of this online in just a matter of minutes.
Get Your Paperwork Done the Easy Way
We can help you get your PCL and more online. Take a few moments to explore our navigation menu to get a better sense of our offerings. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.
