Vessel ownership is a comprehensive task that includes all sorts of different forms, applications, and guidelines you will need to consider in order to meet Alberta boating regulations. However, while a lot of people are aware that they have to meet these regulations, they aren’t exactly privy to how these procedures work. Let’s take a closer look so that you know how to proceed in regards to your documentation.
Make Sure Your Commercial Vessel is Registered
Commercial vessels throughout Canada need to be registered with the corresponding agency in order to be allowed to operate. Alberta boating regulations call for proper registration with Transport Canada so as to keep proper track of the commercial vessels operating in the territory, and to ensure that these are meeting the relevant guidelines. Because of this, it’s very important to go through the registration process upon purchasing or acquiring the vessel. If the boat in question had been previously registered here in Canada, the previous owner can go through a transfer of registration process in order to pass it along to you. Otherwise, however, you will have to register the vessel yourself through the initial form, which you can find here on our website.
Get Your Pleasure Craft Licence if Necessary
Now, the registration process is only for commercial vessels. Recreational ones, on the other hand, will have to go through the pleasure craft licence application. This will grant permission to the vessel owner in question to operate recreationally in Canadian waters. Does this mean that if your family has a paddleboat you have to get a licence for it? No, don’t worry, not every single recreational boat needs to go through this process. There are actually very specific Alberta boating regulations for which ones do need the licence in question. If you have a pleasure craft equipped with motors of 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more, even if it is a personal watercraft, that is maintained or operated in Canada, you will need to obtain the corresponding licence.
Operate Your Vessel Accordingly
So, once you have your vessel’s registration, you will have to take into account the relevant Alberta boating regulations going forward. This means, for example, that you can’t operate recreational vessels commercially, but you can, however, operate commercial vessels recreationally. On top of that, you will need to consider that you need to update your documentation should any relevant changes arise throughout your ownership. All the relevant forms will be available here on our website.
Meet Alberta Boating Regulations
Once you know what you need as part of the process, it will be time to actually submit the application for registration or licensing. You can do so directly and risk delays, or you can submit everything through our platform here at the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. We are always making sure that people have easier access to Transport Canada forms and applications, as well as the right venue through which to submit them. You’ll be able to find everything you need here on our website. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us by calling +1 (800) 419-9569 or emailing us at info@canadianvesselregistry.ca.
