Many prospective or new boat owners have come to us with questions about licensing a boat in Ontario. Though the process tends to be somewhat intimidating, it doesn’t have to be, especially when you count with the help of our team.
Licensing a Boat in Ontario
In accordance with Transport Canada’s boating documentation guidelines, a pleasure craft licence is the document that grants the boat in question with a unique identifying number. This allows you to have a distinct number attached to your vessel in order to properly identify it in situations such as searches and rescues, and qualifying personnel will be able to find and access relevant information in a quick and prompt manner. Here’s what you need to know when licensing a boat in Ontario
What Counts as a Pleasure Boat?
First of all, what exactly is a pleasure boat? This denomination refers to any vessel that isn’t used for commercial purposes, but the definition of “commercial” is often wider than a lot of people think. For example, research barges, passenger ferries, and similar vessels are considered commercial even if they aren’t explicitly operated for profit. Taking this into account, a pleasure craft refers specifically to boats that are owned and operated with sole personal recreational purposes, such as yachts, sailboats, and motorboats. Will every boat that fits within this definition have to be registered? Not necessarily. Only those equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more will have to get a licence. Is that the case of your pleasure craft? Then let’s go over what you will have to do.
Applying For Your Pleasure Craft Licence
So, if your pleasure craft’s motor exceeds the 10 horsepower guideline, you will want to look into getting the right license for it. This process is very simple, so don’t worry about it being complicated or convoluted. More than anything, you will need to submit the application form to Transport Canada. You will find the form here on our website, through which you will also be able to submit it. As part of this, you will simply have to provide concrete data about the boat you are getting the license for, including manufacturing information. Lastly, you will have to include proof of ownership (probably in the form of a bill of sale), as well as your contact information as the official owner of the boat.
Meet All Your Registration and Licencing Needs
Boat licencing, like any other kind of bureaucratic paperwork, can be very inconvenient and tedious to deal with. However, that doesn’t have to be the case, at least not when you can count on the National Vessel Registry Center. Our platform is here for you to easily and smoothly submit your forms, pay the application fee, and receive your documentation as soon as possible. You can find all the relevant forms here on our website and, should you need any help at some point, you can always contact us through the number and email address found above to receive the corresponding assistance.
