File For a Commercial and Pleasure Watercraft Ownership Transfer in Ontario

When you’re selling a vessel that’s been documented in Canada, you will also need to part ways with said documentation. Here’s how you can file for a watercraft ownership transfer in Ontario.

Watercraft Ownership Transfer in Ontario
If you are looking to sell your watercraft, you will have to worry about the administrative and bureaucratic side of the ownership transfer. When you first got the vessel, you had to either register it with Transport Canada or get a pleasure craft licence for it. Now, it’s important to remember that you don’t keep this documentation, but that it will have to go with the vessel to the new owner should you part ways with it. Of course, this won’t be automatic, though, and you will have to submit the corresponding form to get it done. Let’s guide you through a closer look at what these transfer applications will need from you.

Ontario Ownership Transfer of Commercial Watercraft
Commercial vessels, by the Canada Shipping Act of 2001, need to be registered with Transport Canada before operating. This allows the government agency to keep a consistent record of all vessels operating commercially across the country’s waters. Once you get the initial registration in the first place, it will be tied to the vessel going forward. This means that if you are selling it or passing it along to a new owner, the registration will go to them. To carry out that change, you will have to submit the form for a transfer of registration with Transport Canada. This way, the registry will be able to maintain updated information about the vessel itself and the new owner will be able to enjoy full use of the watercraft.

Ontario Ownership Transfer of Pleasure Craft
A similar concept will apply when you are transferring a pleasure craft licence. This is the document that serves as both the operating permit and proof of ownership for a recreational vessel. Just like with a commercial watercraft’s registration, this pleasure craft licence will stick with the watercraft if it switches hands at some point. This applies whether you are adding owners, removing them, or changing them altogether. If you are looking to transfer a licence, you will have to submit an application form for such. Once you submit the form for the transfer, providing all the information about the new owner, they will be able to make use of the pleasure craft licence going forward.

Transport Canada Transfer of Documentation
Filing any sort of registration or licence application with Transport Canada can be somewhat challenging for a variety of reasons. Requirements can get confusing, and forms can be frustrating. For that reason, we have set up this platform: to help you navigate the wide variety of processes handled by Transport Canada without any issues. Trust our team to assist you with getting your watercraft’s documentation processed quickly and easily. You can find all the forms you might need on our menu, but feel free to reach out to us if you have any doubts about any of them. We’re here to help you get your documentation in order.