Licencing

The pleasure craft owner shall licence the craft as described in the Small Vessel Regulations.

All pleasure craft powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more must be licenced or registered.

A licence may be obtained through Service Canada at no cost.  A licence is valid for 10 years beginning on the day on which it was issued, transferred, or renewed.   A name or address change does not extend the 10 year renewal date.

Change of Name or Address

The owners name and address must be correct and an updated licence should be applied for immediately in the event of change.

A pleasure craft may be operated without an accurate owner name or address on the licence until the day on which the owner of the pleasure craft receives an updated licence, up to a maximum of 90 days from the day of the change of name or address, if, in addition to the licence, documents are carried on board confirming the new name or address and the date of the change.

A pleasure craft that was licenced before the day on which the new Small Vessel Regulations came into force may be operated without an accurate owner name or address on the licence until the day on which the owner of the pleasure craft receives an updated licence, up to a maximum of one year from the day on which the new Small Vessel Regulations came into force.   This means an updated licence must be carried by April 29, 2011, at the latest.

Transfer of Licence

Notification of transfer of ownership by licence must be made by the new owner immediately through Service Canada, indicating the licence number and the name and address of the new owner.

A pleasure craft that is the subject of a transfer of ownership may be operated until the day on which the new owner of the pleasure craft receives a transferred licence, up to a maximum of 90 days from the day of the transfer of ownership, if documents are carried on board confirming the name and address of the new owner and the date of the transfer of ownership.

Licence Number Marking

A pleasure craft which requires a "vessel licence" must have the licence number marked on the vessel as described in the Small Vessel Regulations.

The licence number must be displayed above the water line, on both sides of the bow. The number must be in block letters, 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) in height, in a colour that contrasts with the colour of the boat.

Registration

Registration is voluntary for pleasure craft and requires a payment.   Registration provides proof of ownership, the right to fly the Canadian flaq, and a unique name and official registration number for your vessel.   Proof of ownership is important at international borders so registration of your vessel provides recognized documentation if you plan to operate outside of Canada.   Online information on registration may be obtained at Transport Canada's Vessel Registration Office at http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-vesselreg-registration-menu-2311.htm.

Documents On Board

The licence or registration (or copy) should be on board and available for presentation to enforcement officers.  

Every pleasure craft that is manufactured in Canada, or imported into Canada, must have a permanently marked hull identification number (HIN), normally located on the upper starboard quarter of the transom.   Characters of the HIN are at least than 6 mm (1/4 in) in height and width.   The HIN coding includes the manufacturers code name and date of manufacture of the vessel, along with a unique serial number.