The Basics of Understanding Transport Canada Boat Registration

Transport Canada boat registration

When it comes to making use of your vessel, it will be very important to make sure that your Transport Canada boat registration is always in order. Let’s take a closer look at how this all works.

When to Register Your Vessel

First of all, it’s important to remember that there are very specific guidelines as to who can register a vessel here in Canada. In order to register a vessel, the owner has to be a Canadian citizen, a Canadian resident, or an entity or corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada. In cases in which one or more of these requirements are met, the owner can register the vessel with Transport Canada. All commercial vessels need to be registered, although the details of the process will depend on the size of the boat in question. Either way, a boat that is used for commercial purposes with an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more will have to be registered.

Applying for Boat Registration

If you have a small commercial vessel, there is a specific type of registration that you can get, which is in some ways simpler than that of the larger vessels. In order to go through this registration process, the vessel needs to be powered by an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more, and the vessel can’t be over 15 gross tons. If your vessel has a gross tonnage over that, you will have to register it as part of the Canadia Register of Vessels. Canadian citizen, a Canadian resident, or a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada. By registering your vessel, you are not only establishing your own ownership over it; you are also giving it nationality. This means that your vessel will be allowed to operate without restrictions in Canadian waters as long as it adheres to the conditions of its registration.

What if You Lose Your Registration?

Now, it’s important to know that your registration always needs to be at hand when operating your vessel. This means that you can’t just show a picture of your registration that you keep on your phone or a photocopy that you keep around. You need a physical copy with you, which entails that should you lose your Transport Canada boat registration, you will need a new one. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to go through the trouble of obtaining your registration all over again. However, you will need to replace your lost registration, which is another process in and of itself.

Transport Canada Boat Registration

Whether you’re looking into how to get your Transport Canada boat registration or to get a replacement after you lost yours, we want the process to be easy for you. This is why we make it so you can conveniently fill out and submit every relevant form through our website directly to Transport Canada. If you have any questions about what the process you’re taking care of entails, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Just give us a call at +1 (800) 419-9569 or email us at info@canadianvesselregistry.ca and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.