Is it your small vessel first time registration in Canada? If so, you’ve come to the correct spot. Canadian mariners refer to boats less than 24 meters as “small vessels.” That means your boat is a “big vessel” if it’s longer than 24 meters and an “unregistered small vessel” (USV) if it’s less than 5 meters. USVs are treated differently than smaller vessels regarding registration on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway.
There are no additional procedures to follow if you are importing an unregistered small vessel into Canada that is already registered; make sure it follows the laws of your native country. As a ship owner, you may be curious about how Canadian boats become registered—information for first-time Canadian registrants of small vessels.
You’ll Need Your Proof of Ownership and Documentation for Your Vessel
You will need to bring the paperwork for your vessel and confirm that you own it. When you register a boat in Canada, all that it means is that the Canadian Coast Guard will be aware of your vessel and be able to maintain tabs on it if anything happens to it. For instance, if someone has gone missing while they were out on the water, we may utilize this information to assist us in finding them!
In practice, the Canadian Coast Guard will be the one to carry out the registration. Because of this, you can contact Service Canada or any other organization once you contact them directly. To register your yacht, you will be provided with several pieces of paperwork and a fee schedule.
Vessels Must Be Registered Within 30 Days of Arriving in Canada
If you’ve recently moved to Canada and brought a boat with you, there are a few things you need to know before deciding whether or not to retain it. The first thing must be done to register the yacht within the next 30 days. This will be done with the National Vessel Registry Center or the Canadian Coast Guard.
Three primary kinds of boats are small, significant, and fishing vessels. The regulations for small vessel first-time registration in Canada depend on the size and nature of the boat. The amount that they can carry, as well as the number of people that they can accommodate, are two different factors. Due to this difference, the conditions for registering with each are different.
The Fees for Small Vessel First Time Registration in Canada Are Based On the Length of Your Vessel
The first-time registration costs for a small vessel in Canada vary depending on the vessel’s size. Taking measurements of your boat is necessary to ascertain the applicable price. The best way to get an accurate measurement is to go from the boat’s front to its back or from the front to the stern. There are two methods to determine the length: overall and waterline.
Furthermore, there is a payment method that you may need to become more familiar with. First-time boat registration fees may be broken down into yearly and lifetime components. You will be required to make yearly payments depending on the length and width of your boat. A single, one-time payment will cover all your registered boats for life.
Different Requirements depend on the type of Vessel You Own.
Before small boat registration in Canada, you must ensure that it meets all applicable Canadian safety regulations. There might be more to this than meets the eye, depending on the boat you have. If you own a particular boat, you’ll want to ensure you comply with the relevant regulations.
One must follow a different set of rules when registering a sailboat that is less than 20 meters in length. Therefore, it is recommended to hire a marine surveyor who can guide you through the process of registering your boat. Suppose you’ve purchased a secondhand boat that has never been registered before. In that case, you’ll need to inspect it and file the appropriate paperwork with either Transport Canada or the National Vessel Registry Center.
No Canadian owner history means no International Certificate of Registry number (ICON) may be issued during the registration procedure, which is a crucial step if the vessel has never been registered. This is something a marine surveyor can help you with.
If you’re looking to get a small vessel first-time registration in Canada, you can call the National Vessel Registry Center at +1 (800) 419-9569. We have been providing registration services for all small vessels for over forty years and can answer any questions about the process and your options.