Owning a boat can be, in many ways, a great expression of individualism and freedom. With your vessel, you can conquer the waves of the lake or ocean at your leisure, feeling the wind at your back and the sun on your face. You can also make your boat entirely your own. You can paint it, add upgrades, and decorate however you choose. Altering the name of your vessel, however, can be a bit tricky. If you purchased a previously owned vessel that came with a name, or you have outgrown the moniker that you gave your boat, you may feel the urge to change it. Well, if you can get past the superstition of believing it is bad luck to change the name of a boat, you should know that it is possible, though there may be some paperwork involved. As for the bad luck angle, you can hold a boat name change ceremony that can alleviate some of that mentioned bad luck as well. Before you start removing the name on the back of your boat, though, read on to learn a bit more about what you can expect when it comes to the formalities of doing so.
If you have owned a boat before, or you have spent time around seafaring individuals, you have probably heard some chatter about how you should never change the name of a boat, for it can bring about misfortune. Have you ever wondered, though, where that belief comes from? Well, it has ancient roots dating back to Greek mythology. Poseidon, the God of the Sea, was said to maintain a ledger of all vessels. Changing the name of a boat would disrupt the continuity of his records, which he is said to not be a fan of. Well, there are some ways you can smooth things over with Poseidon. Transport Canada will, of course, also ask that you clear your name change with them as well.
Forms for a Boat Name Change Ceremony
If your boat has a pleasure craft license (PCL), which is required for any motorized vessel of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more, you will not need to do anything official to change your vessel’s name. Registered vessels, which are typically commercial boats, or vessels that travel internationally, will need to complete a more formal process, as they are identified by singular official names. Transport Canada will require that you submit a Form 13 – Application for Change of Name of Ship and/or Port of Registry.
As for the more fun aspect of this process, the ceremony, all you need are friends and a lot of champagne. The protocol calls for you to break a bottle of bubbly over your boat’s bow, but you can also say a few words for Poseidon. After that, it should be smooth sailing
Process Your Paperwork Online
If you need some guidance on your upcoming boat name change ceremony or process a registration, we can help. Take a few minutes to explore our offerings. You can also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more.
