Transport Canada Boat Registration Requirements

Transport Canada is the Canadian government’s department that oversees the country’s various modes of transportation. They have regulations for many vehicles, but yachts are one sort. Transport Canada boat registration requirements help protect the waterways and boating industry from harmful activity.

In an emergency, the rules and guidelines ensure that all recreational anglers can be located and recognized and that all commercial boats are in safe working condition. In addition, the rules and procedures provide that all commercial ships are in safe working conditions. The following are the prerequisites for registering a vessel with Transport Canada:

Your Boat Must Be Registered With Transport Canada.
Per Transport Canada regulations, vessels over 12 meters must display an adequate boat identification number. (BIN). After a watercraft has been appropriately registered with Transport Canada, the ship will be eligible to receive a BIN. To get your boat registered, you must have filled out an application form that includes information about the boat’s owner and operator(s) and a declaration indicating that you are not aware of any obligations incurred by the owner following Canadian nautical legislation.

You should be aware that the requirements for registering your watercraft with Transport Canada also apply if you intend to take it out of Canadian waterways and into regions not under Canadian jurisdiction. If you plan to transport your watercraft outside the country, register it with the administrations of both countries, you will be visiting. This will ensure you do not encounter any legal problems while you are gone.

The Owner Must Be 18 Years or Older For Transport Canada Boat Registration
The prerequisite for boat owners by Transport Canada to be at least 18 years old to register their vessels ensures that boat owners are of an appropriate age and level of competence to be in charge of their dishes. You can’t just throw caution to the wind at this ripe old age. After all, you wouldn’t want to give a sailboat worth a million dollars to somebody who hasn’t mastered the basics of driving yet, would you?

A parent or legal caregiver can fill out the Transport Canada boat registration papers for a child younger than the age requirement. The proprietor must provide images of a document proving their identification (like a driver’s license) and location.

The Owner Must Provide Proof Of Citizenship Or Residence In Canada (E.G., Passport).
When buying your watercraft, you must provide documentation proving that you are a Canadian citizen or resident. (e.g., passport). In addition, you’ll need to have the length of your boat and the manufacturer written down somewhere on board. If you plan to use your boat for commercial purposes, the next step is to find a company offering maritime insurance and register your vessel. You are also required to provide Transport Canada with the location of your home port, which is the place where your boat will be stored when it is not being used.

Transport Canada needs this information to contact the boat proprietor if something goes wrong while the ship is being used. As long as they have a physical location, supplying the phone number of the insurance provider who registers your boat can satisfy the home port location prerequisite. This is provided that the insurance provider has a physical location.

You Must Have a Valid Proof of Liability Insurance In Case Of an Accident Involving Your Boat
If your watercraft ever gets into a mishap, you can use the license to get maritime insurance. In addition to applying for a certificate of registration, proof of liability insurance coverage is required in case of a boating mishap. Before leaving port, check local regulations to see if you need evidence of insurance to run your sailboat legally. New vessels and transfers of possession must be reported within ten days.

Penalties and fees may be imposed if you fail to disclose these modifications, even if your watercraft is never used in Canadian waterways. Your boat’s registry papers may have been lost or stolen, a new proprietor or operator has taken over, or you’ve moved. If any of the above ever changes, remember to amend the register!

The National Vessel Registry Center is Canada’s registration and titling authority for pleasure craft. You can also get information on licensing and insurance requirements in our Canadian waters here. We’re glad to help!