The process for completing vessel documentation in Cape Breton is easier here at the National Vessel Registry Center Corp. We offer a simple, efficient manner of applying for the Canadian Register of Vessels, the Small Vessel Registry, or a Pleasure Craft License. No matter where you are in BC or throughout all of Canada, you can utilize the forms below to be in compliance.
Canadian Vessel Documentation
The documentation below covers the registration of vessels in Cape Breton and anywhere else throughout the country.
First Time Registration
You must register your Canadian vessel in Cape Breton or elsewhere throughout the country if you are using it for commercial purposes, it has an engine of 10 horsepower/7.5 kW or more, and its gross tonnage is 15 or more. “Gross tonnage” measures a ship’s overall internal volume.
Additionally, you need Canada boat registration (Form 1), if you want a marine mortgage, if you’re going to travel with it outside of Canada, and if you want a reserved name for the vessel.
Transcripts
A vessel transcript contains certain information about a registered vessel in Cape Breton and throughout Canada. In a certified transcript of vessel, you can expect to find information such as a vessel’s name, Port of Registry, its type, when the certificate expires, when it was registered, information about the builder, information about when the vessel was built, who the owner is, if there are any mortgages/encumbrances against the vessel, and more.
Application for Change of Address
If you have moved from the location that Transport Canada has on file with your registration, be it in Cape Breton or elsewhere, then you need this Transport Canada Change of Address form.
Change of Vessel Name and/or Transfer of Port of Registry
If you have decided to change the name of a boat that’s been registered, you can rename a boat with this form. Additionally, if you have changed your vessel’s Port of Registry from the one that’s on your vessel’s registration, no matter if it’s in Cape Breton or anywhere else in Canada, you can change that with this form as well.
Replacement Certificate
For your registration to be valid, you must have a physical copy of your registration. With this form, you can apply for a replacement certificate. If you lost registration for a boat that’s registered in BC or anywhere else in Canada, you want this form. This is not the form for a replacement boater’s license.
Historical Research
You can do a vessel search by name to discover historical information about Canadian vessels from all the way back to 1787. This covers vessels in Cape Breton or anywhere else in Canada. Should your vessel documentation search by name or number include vessels that have been registered between the years of 1904 to 1984, you will receive your information on microfilm.
Transfer of Ownership
This is the form for a boat title transfer. For a legal boat registration transfer in Canada, whether in Cape Breton or elsewhere, this form ensures you will be in compliance with the authorities.
Provisional Certificate
Valid for a maximum of six months, this non-mandatory provisional Certificate of Registry can be applied for if you are a Canadian vessel builder and wish to perform sea trials or you are a vessel owner who has submitted all pertinent vessel documentation yet is waiting for the submission of tonnage documents by an appointed tonnage measurer.
Bare-Boat Chartered Vessels
If you desire to lease your commercial vessel to someone else, we offer Form 18 – Application for Bareboat Charter Registry. With a bareboat charter in Canada, the charterer will have complete and utter control as well as possession of the vessel. This holds true for Cape Breton or anywhere else throughout Canada.
Alterations
An Application for Alterations must be completed if there were certain changes to your vessel, such as its depth, breadth, length, tonnage measurements, engine size/horsepower, and descriptor.
Registration of a Government Vessel
Form 17 – Application for the Registration of a Government Ship can be utilized by provincial and federal entities exclusively.
Mortgage
Registration is necessary for a Canadian marine boat mortgage. Form 7 – Mortgage is an application for a mortgage for your vessel.
Discharge of Mortgage
Once your mortgage has been paid off, you must file for a discharge of mortgage so that it’s removed from the vessel registry. To discharge the mortgage, include the original Form 7 – Mortgage along with it.
Deletion
Filing for a deletion certificate removed the vessel from the Canadian Register of Vessels. Do this if your vessel has been lost, has been removed from service, or was wrecked. You will want this form if you sell your vessel to a foreign citizen or you decide to get a pleasure craft license instead. Remember: only a vessel without a mortgage on it can be voluntarily closed.
Transmission on Death/Bankruptcy
Should the owner of a registered vessel pass away, their vessel shares have to be transferred in the vessel’s registry. Should the owner go bankrupt, their vessel shares must be transferred to a trustee. The process for both is referred to as a “transmission,” and the proper form is Form 8 – Declaration of Transmission.
Small Vessel Registry Forms
If you have a commercial vessel whose gross tonnage is 15 or less, and you do not plan on getting an official name or a mortgage, then you can register in the Small Vessel Register.
Small Vessel First-Time Registration
You must register any commercial vessel if it has a gross tonnage of 15 or less and the engine is 10 horsepower/7.5 kW or more. Additionally, barges and commercial river rafts also require small boat registration.
Small Vessel Renewal
Your vessel’s registration is valid for a period of five years until small vessel renewal is required.
Small Vessel Transfer of Ownership
To sell or transfer your ownership of a vessel on the Small Vessel Registry, use this Small Vessel Transfer of Ownership form.
First Registration of a Government-Owned Vessel
Registration of a small government vessel is required if the vessel is powered by a motor of 10 horsepower/7.5kW or more and has a gross tonnage of 15 or less.
Transfer of a Government Owned Vessel
To complete the transfer of a government-owned vessel to a new owner, utilize this form.
Pleasure Craft License Forms
If you’re going to use your vessel for recreation, to have fun with your friends and family, then pleasure craft licensing can be right for your vessel.
New Pleasure Craft License
If you plan on using your vessel for pleasure and it has an engine of 7.5kW/10 horsepower or more, you can get a Transport Canada Pleasure Craft License. If you plan on using your vessel for pleasure and the engine has less power than that, you do not have to get a license but can choose to do so.
Transfer of Pleasure Craft License
If you sell your pleasure craft license to another party, you can transfer a pleasure craft license with this form.
Duplicate of Pleasure Craft License
In the event that your pleasure craft license has been lost or mutilated, obtain a duplicate of your pleasure craft license here.
Update Pleasure Craft License
To update pleasure craft license information such as change of address and other vessel information, use this form. Note: if you have changed owners, then you will need the Transfer form.
Renew Pleasure Craft License
Pleasure craft licence renewal is not available until shortly before a pleasure craft license’s expiry. A pleasure craft licence is valid for ten years.
An Easier Process for Vessel Documentation in Cape Breton
Each of these forms can be completed at our site from any device. Whether you are at home, at work, at the Port of Vancouver, or anywhere else, you can fill out these forms easier. Many of them allow for rush processing/priority requests so that you receive your forms even sooner. Safe travels on the water.