As the colder months continue to melt away, another Canadian boating season will quickly be upon us. If you are looking for ways to maximize your summer, getting out on the water is a surefire way to make lasting, meaningful memories with your friends, family, and loved ones. Of course, purchasing a boat of your own is not exactly a minor investment. Even modest, previously-owned boats can fetch a high price tag, not to mention the maintenance and docking fees that you will need to contend with. Still, once you find the boat of your dreams and make an offer that the seller accepts, you can find yourself with a brand new, enjoyable hobby for years to come. Before you launch your boat in the lake, though, you will want to make sure that your paperwork is in good order. For many, this means obtaining a Transport Canada pleasure craft licence (PCL). The good news is, by working with a private service such as ours at the National Vessel Registry Center, you can get yours online with just a few clicks.
Make no mistake about it, Canada’s many lakes and rivers are a great source of national pride. These pristine, breathtaking waterways serve as a means of outdoor enjoyment for citizens all over the country, and as such, it is your obligation as a boater to do what you can to help preserve them. This means avoiding pollution by keeping your engine well-maintained, and carrying the proper Transport Canada documentation at all times. As our country’s primary transportation agency for all sea-related matters, Transport Canada tries to stay current on just who and what is on our waters. By getting and renewing your licence, you can help better maintain the infrastructure of our waters. Read on to learn more.
Applying for a Transport Canada Pleasure Craft Licence
So, who specifically requires a pleasure craft licence from Transport Canada? Well, any boat can be eligible for this type of documentation, and many vessel owners find that having documentation affords them peace of mind. To be more precise about requirements, though, any vessel with an engine of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must obtain a pleasure craft licence. This can be done by filling out an online application via our easy-to-use website and submitting some supplemental materials, such as a bill of sale and a photograph of your boat.
Once issued, your PCL will be valid for a period of 10 years, at which point you will have the opportunity to process a renewal request. Your PCL will assign your vessel a registration number, which must be affixed to both sides of your boat’s exterior bow in characters of at least three inches in height.
Work with Us!
Whether you need a PCL, or any other form of Transport Canada documentation, we can help. We have all the online forms you need on one site. To learn more, take a few minutes to explore our site, or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
