Change of Vessel Name and/or Transfer of Port of Registry

Rename a Boat

Have you gotten tired of the name of your vessel? Do you want to rename a boat but aren’t sure how to stay in compliance with the powers that be? That’s just one of the ways that the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. can help. Here at our site, you’ll find an easier way to change your boat’s name to exactly what you want it to be. 

Keep in mind: there’s really no limit to how many times you can change your boat’s name. You can change it as often as you would like. The best advice for naming your boat is always: pick something that you are comfortable being associated with you. Giving it a fun name, even a funny name, a joking name, is great, but be sure that you’re always going to be OK with the people that you meet associating that name with you. We make it easier to change your boat’s name in a variety of ways. 

Rename a Boat

Changing the Name of a Boat Easily 

We’ve done everything in our power to streamline the process for changing your vessel’s name. Simply click on “Registry Forms,” and then scroll down to “Change of Vessel Name and/or Transfer of Port of Registry.” Keep in mind: you can only change the name of a vessel that’s been registered with the “large” vessel registry, and not vessels on the Small Vessel Registry or ones with a pleasure craft license. 

How to Rename a Boat Properly 

There are specific rules when it comes to naming a vessel in Canada. While you can name your vessel (practically) anything that you want, there are limits. For example, your vessel name has to be entirely unique, and not exactly the same as any other registered vessel name. This has to be true even when said out loud. 

You don’t have to worry about including articles for vessels, such as “the,” “l,” “la,” “le,” and so forth. The authorities do not consider them when approving a vessel name but your vessel can still include them. So, “The Sea’s Jewel” is seen, by the authorities, as exactly the same as “Sea’s Jewel.” 

There are certain things that your vessel’s name cannot contain, no matter what. For example, it can’t be a prohibited mark, a mark that isn’t allowed. Moreover, you can’t use a registered trademark, as well. To save yourself time, it’s always worth it to do a bit of research before filling out one of these forms. 

By that same token, your vessel’s name can’t be confused with a distress signal. We’ve seen many rejected vessel names that are some play on “SOS” and so forth. If there’s any doubt, it’s not worth it. By that same token, your vessel’s name can’t include any acronyms for vessels as well. So, you can’t have “FV” (for fishing vessel), “SV” (for sailing vessel, and the like). 

To answer many questions we receive, yes, you can name your vessel after a Canadian city or town as well as famous Canadians. However, you need to procure authorization letters to do that. 

Your Port of Registry Explained 

Simply put, your vessel’s port of registry is the port that it’s registered in. If you move your vessel to a new port and plan on staying there, then it most likely behooves you to update this. There are a limited number of provinces/territories that you can pick a Canadian port of registry in. They include Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Yukon, British Columbia, Nunavut, Nova Scotia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and others. 

Changing More Than a Boat Name 

The above information covers changing the name of your vessel and its port of registry. Additionally, we have plenty of other forms available to update the powers that be in regards to other changes that you may have made to your vessel. 

Specifically, you can find the forms for making “alterations” to your vessel at our site, as well as forms for important (but non-physical) changes such as transferring ownership, your address, and more. 

Rename a Boat and Much More at Our Site 

Renaming your vessel is one of the most popular uses of our site, however, it’s far from the only one. We designed the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. to be a one-stop shop for Canadian vessel registration. Indeed, at our site, you can find all of the forms that you might need for the course of vessel ownership. 

From registering your vessel for the first time (or getting that pleasure craft license), to applying for a mortgage, to discharging it, to transferring title and so much more, you can find all of the forms you’ll need at our site. To see everything that we have to offer Canadian vessel owners, click here.