If you’re trying to figure out your boating documentation, then you might be wondering about the Definition of Pleasure Craft. Don’t worry, everything you need to know will be right here.
Definition of Pleasure Craft
On the surface, it might seem easy to guess what the definition of pleasure craft is, and it is! After all, the term simply refers to a boat that’s solely used for recreational purposes. This means that it is in no way used for profit, professional, or even educational endeavours. However, this definition isn’t quite useful if you yourself own a pleasure craft here in Canada and need to know whether or not you have to get a pleasure craft licence. In these cases, the issue might be a tad more complicated, which is why we’re here to help you with it. Here, you will find all you need to know in regards to this piece of recreational boating documentation.
Pleasure Craft Licence
Here in Canada, in accordance with the Canadian Shipping Act of 2001, a pleasure craft licence is the document that allows operation of recreational vessels in national waters. This serves a variety of different purposes. One, for example, is to keep track of the vessels that operate here, not just commercially, but also recreationally. Specifically that they are doing so while meeting all the pertinent rules and regulations. On the other hand, it also allows the owner of the vessel to count with official proof of ownership going forward. A pleasure craft licence is a very useful document, but in a lot of the cases it’s also mandatory. Let’s take a look at that.
Should You Get a Pleasure Craft Licence?
Not every recreational vessel needs to receive a pleasure craft licence. The definition of pleasure craft might apply to all exclusively recreational boats, but Transport Canada doesn’t actually require all of them to receive this specific documentation. There are actually very specific guidelines determining whether or not you have to document your recreational vessel with a pleasure craft licence. If you have a pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more that is maintained or operated in Canada, you will need to apply for a licence. Does your boat meet these requirements? Then you should file your licence application before you set sail. Lucky for you, you can do that right here on our website.
File Your Licence Application
No one likes to have to submit documentation applications, everyone knows that. However, that is exactly why we at the National Vessel Documentation Center have set up an easy to use platform that makes those filings everyone finds so tedious and inconvenient all the more simple and straightforward. Here you will find all the forms you might need in order to file for boat registration, a pleasure craft licence, or just about any other relevant vessel procedure. For more information about any of these applications, boating documentation regulations, or Transport Canada filing requirements, feel free to reach out to our team by way of our contact page. We’re here to help.
