There are many things to consider when registering a boat in Ontario, whether you’re new to the province or have owned a boat for years. It’s essential to know the requirements for a Transport Canada boat registration and what procedures must be followed to ensure your vessel follows all regulations.
The province of Ontario has its regulations governing navigational rules, including who is required to register their watercraft, length requirements, and more. You should consult the resources available in your jurisdiction for any additional information, as these may vary slightly from those in other states. Here are transport Canada boat registration and navigation rules in Ontario.
You Must Register Your Vessel If It Is More Than 15 Feet Long and Used On Ontario Waters
The definition of a vehicle given by Transport Canada encompasses anything that is used or is capable of being used for transportation on water. This contains various types of watercraft, such as canoes, kayaks, sailboats, motorboats, and houseboats. Ontario’s provincial government imposes several particular requirements on Transport Canada boat registration.
You are required to register your watercraft with Transport Canada if it is longer than 15 feet and you use it on waterways within the province of Ontario. According to Transport Canada, vessels shorter than 4.5 meters (15 feet) in length are exempt from the requirements of the Navigation Protection Act and do not need to be registered. If your boat’s engine has less than 7.5 horsepower, this is another circumstance in which you are exempt from the rule.
You Must Carry Proof of Transport Canada Boat Registration When Operating a Registered Vessel on Ontario Waters
Documentation evidencing possession and a valid Transport Canada boat registration is called “proof of registration.” It will have a number specific to your watercraft; this number must be displayed prominently on any sailboat you use in Ontario. If a police or conservation officer approaches you and requests evidence of registration, they have the authority to order you off the water until they can check your paperwork.
If law enforcement cannot validate your possession of the vessel or determine that it is not correctly registered, the ship may be confiscated, sold at auction, or left on the spot. Ontario uses the money from these purchases to fund anti-crime initiatives across the state. Keep your license on you at all times if you plan on taking your watercraft out on Ontario waterways, or else you risk having this happen to you.
If You Operate A Commercial Vessel or Charter Boat, You Must Have Commercial Liability Insurance Coverage
It is mandatory to carry commercial liability insurance if you are the proprietor of a commercial watercraft in the United States. If you do not, Transport Canada reserves the right to levy fines against you and seize your vessel if a disaster occurs and you do not have indemnity insurance.
The operation of vessels in Canada is governed by several other regulations, the most important of which are the navigation standards and the boat registration requirements. The rules governing transportation in Ontario apply to any vehicle, be it a schooner, a speedboat, or an industrial vessel. Before operating a watercraft on any waterways in Ontario or Canada, you must know the navigation regulations.
Transport Canada Requires All Commercial Vessels to Keep a Copy of Their Certificate of Inspection
Water cabs, yachts, powerboats, ships, hovercrafts, and all other types of watercraft are included in the scope of this regulation. Regarding business boats operating in Ontario, Transport Canada wants to ensure that all people are secure. All commercial vessel owners in the province must demonstrate that they have complied with Transport Canada’s specified guidelines to ensure people’s protection on commercial vessels in the province.
Inspectors will always know which ships have and have yet to be checked. Before entering, the Certificate of Examination must be presented by the proprietor or skipper of any business vehicle. A Certificate of Evaluation must be submitted when joining a vessel, or it will be assumed that the boat has yet to be examined, which may incur a fee..
If you own a boat in Ontario, you must register it with the National Vessel Registry Center, Corp. This is important for your safety and the safety of other boaters. The National Vessel Registry Center, Corp will provide you with the information you need to register your boat and ensure that everything goes smoothly. We are here to help you handle all your Transport Canada boat registration needs.
