Plenty of recreational vessel owners ask us whether or not they have to register their boat with Transport Canada, to which we often say “no, but you will need a pleasure craft licence”. More often than not their response is, well, “what is a pleasure craft licence?” Well, if you too have this question, don’t worry, for we have all the answers for you.
What is a Pleasure Craft Licence?
In accordance with Transport Canada’s boating documentation guidelines, a pleasure craft license is the document that grants the boat in question with a unique identifying number. This allows you to have a distinct number attached to your vessel in order to properly identify it in situations such as searches and rescues, and qualifying personnel will be able to find and access relevant information in a quick and prompt manner. Additionally, the licence will also provide you, the owner of the vessel, with a certified document that makes your ownership and operation of the boat official. This will be a key step in the process for those seeking to use their recreational boat according to the regulations in place.
Getting the Licence
So, if you were asking yourself “what is a pleasure craft license”, you’re probably also wondering how to get one. Well, all you need to do in order to get your own licence for your pleasure craft will be to apply for one. As part of this process, you will need to provide some contact information about yourself (or the owner, if you are acting on their behalf), as well as information about the boat itself. This will involve some sort of proof of ownership, most likely a bill of sale. Once you go through this process, you will eventually receive your pleasure craft licence with its pertinent data. Once you receive your licence, you will have to make sure you display the number on the hull of the boat according to the corresponding guidelines in place.
Keeping Your Licence Up to Date
So, 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 license. This way, you will be able to operate it without having to worry about having to register the vessel. Now, keeping this up to date once you get it will be very important in order to maintain its validity. Did you recently change your address or the vessel’s hailing port? Do you need to update one of the vessel’s specifications? Well, your pleasure craft license will need to be updated in order to reflect this.
National Vessel Registry
If you need to submit any sort of form or update your Transport Canada boat registration, our team here at the National Vessel Registry Center are here to help you with any process relevant to Transport Canada applications. Are you still unsure about what is a pleasure craft licence or how to get it? Don’t worry, just give us a call at +1 (800) 419-9569, email us at info@canadianvesselregistry.ca, or fill out the contact form on our website should you need any help.
