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Vessel licensing and registration

From: Transport Canada

Pleasure craft licence, vessel registration, Canadian Register of Vessels, Small Vessel Register, marine mortgage, bareboat registry, vessel history, coasting trade licence.

Services and information

Apply for or manage a pleasure craft licence (pcl).

License a pleasure craft, manage pleasure craft licence, updates and changes to licence, boat dealer demonstration licence.

Apply for or manage a vessel registration

Register commercial vessels and pleasure craft, manage registration, report changes, transfer ownership.

Register or manage a marine mortgage

Register, transfer or discharge a marine mortgage, builder’s mortgage, death of mortgagee.

Request or extend a certificate of bareboat registry

Bareboat charters in or out of Canada, obtain or extend a certificate of bareboat registry, suspend or reinstate a vessel’s registry in Canada.

Request transcripts or historical research of a vessel

Vessel Registration Query System, transcripts, vessel history.

Coasting trade

What is coasting trade in Canada, coasting trade licence, advance notification for foreign vessels.

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Safe boating guide . : T34-24E-PDF

Provides up to date information on current regulations governing recreational boating.

Permanent link to this Catalogue record: publications.gc.ca/pub?id=9.506246&sl=0

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The Government of Canada announces new measures for ferries and commercial passenger vessels capable of carrying more than 12 passengers

From: Transport Canada

News release

Ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is the Government of Canada’s top priority. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, Transport Canada is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada, other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

April 5, 2020    Ottawa    Transport Canada        

The Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, today announced new measures to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission on commercial passenger vessels and ferries.

As of April 6, the new measures with mandatory requirements:

• These measures will remain in place until at least June 30.
• Should any foreign passenger vessel seek to enter Arctic waters, they would need to give the Minister of Transport 60 days’ notice and be subject to any conditions the Minister determines necessary to ensure the protection of marine personnel and local communities.
• These measures will remain in place until October 31, 2020.
• Immediately reduce by 50% the maximum number of passengers that may be carried on board (conduct half-load voyages) to support the two-metre physical distancing rule; or
• Implement alternative practices to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 (consistent with Public Health Agency of Canada guidelines) among passengers on board their vessels, such as keeping people in their vehicles, when feasible or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.

In addition to these measures, Transport Canada is issuing guidelines to ferry operators respecting health screening for all passengers before boarding to better protect their employees and passengers. These guidelines are based on advice from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The new measures preventing vessel activity do not apply to:

• essential passenger vessels such as ferries, water taxis, and medical-use vessels;
• cargo vessels, barges, work boats, fishing vessels and other commercial vessels who operate to support resupply operations and the movement of goods through Canada’s supply chain;
• Canadian commercial passenger vessels, without passengers, moving for repairs or repositioning;
• Canadian commercial passenger vessels that are not in service; and
• pleasure craft (e.g. non-commercial vessels).

“The safety and security of the travelling public and Canada’s transportation network are my top priorities. These new measures will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, while continuing to support the continued movement of goods through the supply chain, and ensuring Canadians can access their homes, jobs, and essential services in a safe manner.” Minister of Transport The Honourable Marc Garneau

Quick facts

These measures follow an announcement made on March 13, 2020, to defer the start of the cruise ship season in Canada until July 1, 2020, at the earliest and apply to cruise ships capable of carrying 500 or more passengers, including crew members.

These measures apply to all of Canada’s coastal and inland waters, including the St. Lawrence River, the Great Lakes, and Canada’s Arctic waters. Examples of inland waters include lakes, rivers, and inlets.

Enforcement action for failing to abide by these new measures could include administrative monetary penalties of up to $5,000 per day for an individual and $25,000 per day for a vessel or corporation, as well as criminal sanctions, which include up to $1 million in fines and/or up to 18 months' imprisonment.

Related products

• Backgrounder: COVID-19 safety requirements for passenger vessels and ferry operators
• COVID-19: Guidance material for passenger vessel and ferry operators
• Interim Order Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions due to the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Measures to Mitigate the Spread of COVID-19 on Passenger Vessels and Ferries – Ship Safety Bulletin, No.: 10/2020 published on April 4, 2020
• Regulations Maintaining the Safety of Persons in Ports and the Seaway
• Government of Canada announces intention to defer the start of cruise ship season in Canada as COVID-19 response measure
• COVID-19 measures, updates, and guidance issued by Transport Canada
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Canada’s response

Livia Belcea Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Marc Garneau Minister of Transport, Ottawa 613-991-0700 [email protected]

Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055 [email protected]

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Small Vessel Regulations ( SOR /2010-91)

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Regulations are current to 2024-05-14 and last amended on 2023-12-20. Previous Versions

Small Vessel Regulations

SOR /2010-91

CANADA SHIPPING ACT, 2001

Registration 2010-04-29

P.C. 2010-546 2010-04-29

Her Excellency the Governor General in Council, on the recommendation of the Minister of Transport, pursuant to paragraph 35(1)(d) and sections 120 and 207 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 Footnote a , hereby makes the annexed Small Vessel Regulations .

Return to footnote a S.C. 2001, c. 26

Interpretation

1   (1)  The definitions in this subsection apply in these Regulations.

accessible  means capable of being reached for inspection, removal or maintenance without removal of any elements of the permanent vessel structure. ( accessible )

Act  means the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 . ( Loi )

change of use  means that the use of a vessel that was a pleasure craft has changed in such a manner that the vessel is no longer a pleasure craft. ( changement d’utilisation )

classification society  means a classification society that is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). ( société de classification )

construction standards  means the Construction Standards for Small Vessels , TP 1332, published by the Department of Transport. ( normes de construction )

engine space  means any space that contains a permanently installed propulsion engine or auxiliary engine, including any connected spaces. ( compartiment moteur )

final preparation , in respect of an official competition, means activities to prepare for the competition that take place at the competition venue during the days and times specified by the organizer of the competition. ( derniers préparatifs )

formal training  means practice for an official competition under the supervision of a coach or an official certified by a governing body. ( entraînement officiel )

governing body  means a national governing body of a water sport

(a)  that publishes rules and criteria respecting conduct and safety requirements for skill demonstrations, formal training or official competitions; and

(i)  certifies coaches and coaching programs,

(ii)  certifies officials and programs for officials, or

(iii)  recommends training and safety guidelines for certified coaches or officials. ( organisme dirigeant )

ignition-protected , in respect of an electrical device, means that the device is designed and constructed in such a manner that under its design operating conditions

(a)  it will not ignite a flammable hydrocarbon mixture surrounding it when an ignition source causes an internal explosion;

(b)  it is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite a hydrocarbon mixture; or

(c)  its source of ignition is hermetically sealed. ( protégé contre l’inflammabilité )

IMO Resolution MSC.81(70)  means the annex to International Maritime Organization Resolution MSC.81(70), Revised Recommendation on Testing of Life-Saving Appliances . ( résolution MSC.81(70) de l’OMI )

ISO 13590  means International Standard Organization Standard ISO 13590, Small Craft — Personal Watercraft — Construction and System Installation Requirements . ( ISO 13590 )

length , in respect of a vessel, means the distance measured from the forward end of the foremost outside surface of the hull shell to the aft end of the aftermost outside surface of the hull shell. ( longueur )

lifebuoy  means a SOLAS lifebuoy or a small vessel lifebuoy. ( bouée de sauvetage )

lifejacket  means a small vessel lifejacket, a standard lifejacket, a Class 1 or Class 2 lifejacket or a SOLAS lifejacket. ( gilet de sauvetage )

life raft  means a SOLAS life raft, a reduced capacity life raft or a coastal life raft. ( radeau de sauvetage )

LSA Code  means the annex to International Maritime Organization Resolution MSC.48(66), International Life-Saving Appliance (LSA) Code . ( recueil LSA )

manual propelling device  means a set of oars, a paddle or another device that uses human power to propel a vessel. ( dispositif de propulsion manuelle )

muffler  means an expansion chamber within the exhaust line specifically designed to reduce engine noise, but does not include a muffler cut-out, straight exhaust, gutted muffler, glass pack muffler, by-pass or similar device. ( silencieux )

official competition  means a competition or regatta organized by a governing body or by a club or an organization that is affiliated with a governing body. ( compétition officielle )

owner , in respect of a vessel other than a pleasure craft, means the authorized representative as defined in section 2 of the Act. ( propriétaire )

passenger-carrying vessel  means a vessel that usually carries or that is carrying one or more passengers. ( bâtiment à passagers )

permanently installed  means securely fastened so that tools must be used for removal. ( fixé à demeure )

personal watercraft  means a vessel less than 4 m in length that uses an internal combustion engine powering a water-jet pump as its primary source of propulsion, and that is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing or kneeling on the vessel and not within the confines of the hull. ( motomarine )

power , in respect of an engine, means the power, in kilowatts, that the manufacturer declares has been determined in accordance with International Standard ISO 8665, Small Craft — Marine Propulsion Engines and Systems — Power Measurements and Declarations , second edition, August 1, 1994. ( puissance )

power-driven , in respect of a vessel, means that the vessel is propelled by an engine or has an engine on board to propel it. ( à propulsion mécanique )

product certification body  means a body that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, or by any other national accreditation organization that is a member of the International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement, to give third-party written assurance that a product meets the specified requirements for the product, including granting of initial certification and maintenance of the certification. ( organisme de certification de produits )

pyrotechnic distress signal  means a rocket parachute flare, a multi-star flare, a hand flare, or a buoyant or hand smoke signal. ( signal de détresse pyrotechnique )

readily accessible  means capable of being reached easily and safely under emergency conditions without the use of tools. ( facilement accessible )

reboarding device  means a ladder, lifting harness or other device that does not include any part of the vessel’s propulsion unit and that assists a person to gain access to the vessel from the water. ( dispositif de remontée à bord )

rebuilder  means a person who is engaged in the business of rebuilding vessels to sell to end users or resellers. ( reconstructeur )

recommended practices and standards  means the recommended practices and standards for marine use issued by a marine classification society, standards development organization, industrial or trade organization, government, government agency or international body. ( normes et pratiques recommandées )

safety craft  means a vessel, aircraft or other means of transportation that has a crew on board and that is used for surveillance and rescue activities during formal training, final preparation or official competitions. ( véhicule de secours )

sailboard  means a vessel that has a totally enclosed hull fitted with a free-standing mast attached to the hull through a universal joint and that is propelled by a sail. ( planche à voile )

SOLAS  means the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. ( SOLAS )

sound-signalling device  means a pealess whistle or a compressed-gas or electric horn. ( dispositif de signalisation sonore )

testing laboratory  means a laboratory that is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada, or by any other national accreditation organization that is a member of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, to produce accurate results for the specific tests or calibrations that are listed on its Scope of Accreditation. ( laboratoire d’essai )

towing , except for the purposes of Part 10, means the action of pulling a vessel or an object astern or alongside, or pushing a vessel or an object ahead, but does not include pulling or pushing, in the course of the vessel’s normal operations, a floating object or vessel that has a significantly smaller displacement than the vessel’s displacement. ( remorquage )

TP 14475  means the Canadian Life Saving Appliance Standard , published by the Department of Transport. ( TP 14475 )

tug  means a vessel that is constructed or converted primarily for the purpose of towing, but does not include a vessel that is constructed or converted for the purpose of

(a)  salvaging logs; or

(b)  managing oil pollution booms and associated equipment. ( remorqueur )

workboat  means a vessel that is not a passenger-carrying vessel, a human-powered vessel or a pleasure craft. ( bateau de travail )

(2)  For the purposes of these Regulations,

(a)  a reference to the date of construction, manufacture or rebuilding of a vessel shall be read as a reference to the date on which the actual construction, manufacture or rebuilding starts;

(b)  a reference to “Administration” in the LSA Code or in IMO Resolution MSC.81(70) shall be read as a reference to “Minister”;

(c)  the word “should” in IMO Resolution MSC.81(70) shall be read as “shall”;

(d)  the term “visual signal” in the LSA Code shall be read as “pyrotechnic distress signal”;

(e)  the term “pyrotechnics” in IMO Resolution MSC.81(70) shall be read as “pyrotechnic distress signal”;

(f)  the Code of Federal Regulations of the United States shall be read without reference to “satisfactory to the Commandant” and “accepted by the Commandant under §159.010 of this chapter”.

(3)  For the purpose of the French version of the Regulations, the term “moto aquatique” in ISO 13590 shall be read as “motomarine”.

(4)  A provision in the American Boat and Yacht Council standards referred to in these Regulations that is expressed as a recommendation shall be read as a requirement unless it is incompatible with the vessel’s construction.

(5)  Except as otherwise indicated in these Regulations, any reference in these Regulations to a document is a reference to that document as amended from time to time.

(6)  In the event of an inconsistency between a provision in a document incorporated by reference and a provision in these Regulations, the provision in these Regulations shall prevail.

Application

2   (1)  These Regulations apply in respect of

(a)  a pleasure craft;

(b)  a passenger-carrying vessel of not more than 15 gross tonnage that carries not more than 12 passengers and is not a human-powered vessel;

(c)  a workboat of not more than 15 gross tonnage; and

(d)  a human-powered vessel other than a pleasure craft.

(2)  These Regulations do not apply in respect of

(a)  a fishing vessel;

(b)  a rescue boat or lifeboat that is carried on board a vessel exclusively to meet a requirement for life-saving appliances set out in other regulations made under the Act;

(c)  a vessel in respect of which the Special-purpose Vessels Regulations apply; or

(d)  an air cushion vehicle of more than 4 500 kg all up weight.

Prohibition

3  No person shall operate or permit another person to operate a vessel unless the safety equipment required by these Regulations is carried on board the vessel and the equipment meets the requirements of these Regulations.

Substitute Safety Equipment

4   (1)  If the Minister determines that there are circumstances in which equipment other than the safety equipment required by these Regulations provides a level of safety at least equivalent to that provided by the required safety equipment, the other equipment may be substituted for the required safety equipment in those circumstances.

(2)  To determine the level of safety provided by the substituted equipment in the circumstances, the Minister shall assess the following factors:

(a)  the nature of the activity;

(b)  the environmental conditions;

(c)  the nature of the risks to which persons on board are exposed;

(d)  the specific characteristics of the equipment;

(e)  the recommended practices and standards to which the equipment conforms;

(f)  the manner in which the equipment will be used; and

(g)  the ability of the equipment to protect a person from injury.

(3)  The substitute equipment shall bear a mark or label indicating that it conforms to the recommended practices and standards applicable to that type of equipment.

Safety Equipment — Accessibility and Maintenance

5   (1)  The safety equipment required by these Regulations shall be

(a)  in good working order;

(b)  readily accessible and available for immediate use; and

(c)  except for a life raft, maintained and replaced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or recommendations.

(2)  Portable fire extinguishers and fixed fire extinguishing systems required by these Regulations shall be kept fully charged.

Table of Contents

I am Starting a Boat Tour Business. What Documents Do I need?

A boat tour business will be deemed a commercial operation under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and therefore subject to different rules, unlike the transport Canada pleasure craft licence , which is quite easy to obtain. Any waterborne enterprise opened for the express purpose of making profit comes under the banner of commercial. The certification and licensing of commercial vessels depends on different factors, such as intended use and size. All crafts operating in Canadian waters should be registered, but various agencies within Transport Canada deal with different categories of commercial vessels. The official information as set out on the government websites seems contradictory and overlapping. Before venturing to set up your business, it would be worth your while to consult with maritime document and law experts that can guide you as to what boat trip business documentation is necessary. As an example, there are two agencies under which your tour business could fall under.

Canadian Register of Vessels

• The information states that all commercial vessels of over 15 gross tonnes must be registered on that register.
• Any vessel that has a mortgage attached to it must be on the register.
• Also, if the operators or owners intend to take the vessel outside of Canadian waters.

Small Vessel Registry

• All commercial craft of over 15 gross tonnes with ten horsepower or 7.5 kW motors can be registered here
• Other kinds of commercial craft, such as barges, rafts or ferries can also be licensed on that register.
• All Canadian government-owned vessels.

It also states it is not necessary to apply to the Small Vessel Registry, if the craft doesn’t have a mortgage, doesn’t an ‘official’ name or is not going outside of Canadian waters.

Boat Tour Business : Applications

The first step in registering your vessel is to apply for a certificate of registry. If you have changed the use of a pleasure craft to one of commercial uses, then your Transport Canada pleasure craft licence is invalid, and you will have to reapply to the correct register. A change of use from pleasure to commercial craft will entail more documentation and greater detail when filling out the forms. Additional documentation will be required and to ensure the process proceeds smoothly, without delays because of simple mistakes, it would be far simpler and more comfortable to use a registration website such as https://canadianvesselregistry.ca/ to see you through the complex rules and regulations involved in registering a commercial vessel enterprise.   

Inspection Certificates

All commercial vessels between 15 and 150 tonnes are required to have inspection certificates by Transport Canada, and this includes vessels of less than 15 tonnes that carry more than 12 passengers at a time. Regular inspections are necessary and will depend on the use of the craft.

Commercial vessels cannot be put into service before being inspected and obtaining a valid operating certificate. After the first inspection, all subsequent inspections are the owner’s responsibility. These are done through the local Marine Safety office. Inspections are made every year, or every four years depending on the frequency of use. It is necessary to know which inspection schedule your vessel requires. The inspections are carried out both externally and internally and cover a list of 16 points. You are obligated to inform the inspector of any changes that have been made to the vessel. Vessels that are over 15 tonnes and carry more than 12 passengers have a mandatory four-yearly inspection. Any vessel over 24 metres and operating under the Canadian flag will also need four yearly inspections. Under the Delegated Statutory Program, the Marine Safety office will carry out checks using approved third-party organisations.

Other Considerations

Other factors to take into consideration when operating a boat tour business are passenger safety and crew manning levels. It is necessary to comply with the regulations if you are planning to do commercial boat tours. Rules and regulations concerning crew are to be found under the Marine Personnel Regulations . The first two parts deal with competency, i.e. the training, qualifications, and certificates the members of the crew hold. It also covers mandatory manning levels of the type of business you propose and what kind of qualified personnel is necessary. Unlike the Transport Canada pleasure craft licence , a commercial certification involves more than just one person. A small boat owner can legally use his craft with a pleasure craft operator card, but whoever pilots a commercial vessel venture may well need to be a Certified Master. The third part of the regulations deals with marine labour standards. Hours of work, obligation and rights of seafarers.

Boat owners now have to comply with the new safety standards and requirements that were added when the 2001 Shipping Act was amended in 2006. These cover more protection for individuals, due care and attention towards others, and necessary assistance.

By: National Vessel Registry | July 1, 2023

in Canadian Vessel Documentation , National Vessel Registry   

Use the following for reference:

Construction Standards

Transport Canada’s Construction Standards for Small Vessels clearly define how powered boats that are operated in Canada, including boats up to 24 m (78’9”), must be built.

If you are building, rebuilding or restoring a boat in Canada you must meet or exceed the Transport Canada Construction Standards for Small Vessels. If the boat is for your own use it does not require a Compliance notice but if you plan on selling it you must apply to Transport Canada for a manufacturers Identification Code (MIC) so you can attach a Compliance Notice and HIN. Go to www.boatingsafety.gc.ca or contact Transport Canada to get a copy of the construction standards TP 1332E.

Created and managed by the Canadian Safe Boating Council in partnership with National Search and Rescue Secretariat, boating organizations, associations and the marine industry.