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Frequently Asked Questions on Ship Registry
What is the difference
between "registering" and "licensing" a vessel?
Registration is a procedure for documentation of ownership or title. Licensing is a
procedure which identifies a vessel with a license and does not necessarily imply
ownership or title.
Which vessels are
required to be registered or licensed?
All vessels, pleasure or commercial vessels over 15 gross tons, must be registered.
Pleasure vessels under 15 gross tons, bearing a motor of 10 B.H.P. or more must be
licensed with a "K" number. Commercial vessels under 15 gross tons, bearing a
motor of 10 B.H.P. or more must be licensed with a "C" number, unless
voluntarily registered. A commercial vessel
license application must be completed along with a Bill of Sale, forwarded to Ottawa,
to obtain a "CxxxxBC" commercial license.
Where can I get my vessel licensed?
This license is not to be confused with the Canadian Fishing License which is obtained
through the Fisheries Branch of Environment Canada. Licensing is a simple procedure for
which there is no fee and a license may be obtained from any Collector of Customs. For "K" Vessel Licensing, please contact your local Customs office or call 1-800-461-9999. For "C" Vessel Licensing, contact:
Transport Canada
Registrar of Ships
Marine Safety
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N8
Toll free: 1-877-242-8770
Fax: (613) 998-0637
What is a "K number" or a
"C" number?
"K Number" is another name for vessel license in the Pacific Region. A licensed
vessel is identified by a number consisting of between five and eight digits and, on the
West coast, the letter "K." For example: 13K12345.
Can I give my vessel a name if it has a
K Number?
Yes. A licensed vessel may be given any name at the preference of the owner. However, the
vessel is officially know by its "K" number. The same goes with a commercial
"C" license.
What are the steps in vessel
registration?
- Approval of a name for your vessel must be obtained from the
Ministry of Transport through the Registrar of Shipping at the intended Port of Registry.
This must be a name which is not in use by any other registered vessel in Canada. For this
reason, it is recommended that you submit two or three alternatives. To own a Canadian
registered vessel, you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident in Canada.
- A title for the register, conveying title free and clear of
encumbrances, must be supplied either in the form of a Bill of Sale (Canadian), Legalized
Bill of Sale (Foreign)(Closing of Foreign Registry)(Customs Entry or Letter Vessel being
kept out of the country), or in the form of a Builder's Certificate. The certificate must
show that the vessel was built for you and must be signed by the builder of the hull. If
you built the hull, you will sign the certificate. If you or the builder built this vessel
for yourself and for any other member of your family, and you wish to register this vessel
in joint ownership, the Builder's Certificate should indicate this. A vessel may also be
registered in the name of a registered Canadian company or Foreign company (with a
Canadian Authorized Representative). If the vessel was built by a registered company, the
Builder's Certificate must bear the corporate seal of that company.
- To have the vessel measured for tonnage, arrangements must
be made through a government appointed surveyor for tonnage measurement. Vessels
under 15 gross tons or 12 meters may choose to measure their vessel by tabular method by the owner. Contact a Ship
Registry office for a name and number.
- After the measurement of the vessel, a Certificate of Survey
is raised by the Surveyor. After approval in Vancouver, B.C., the certificate is forwarded
to the Registrar of Shipping at the intended Port of Registry.
Carving and markings are no longer sent once we have all the required documentation,
survey and name approvals. The Certificate of Registry is sent to the owners with
instructions on marking the vessel on the reverse side of the Certificate of Registry.
- The remainder of the registration process is documentary.
This involves completion and signing of an Applications for Registry and a Declaration of
Ownership. The Declaration of Ownership is a sworn statement which must be taken before a
Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths or Registrar of Shipping. This establishes your right
as a Canadian Citizen, landed immigrant, or Canadian or Foreign corporation (with Canadian
authorized representative).
The registration fee for pleasure vessels is $200.00 for a first registry (Canadian built
vessel) plus $100.00 if it is a Foreign built vessel. The registration fee for commercial
vessels is $200.00 for a first registry (Canadian built vessel) plus $300.00 if it is a
Foreign built vessel. The amounts are payable to the Receiver General for Canada through
the Port of Registry.
This completes the registration process. The Certificate of Registry, commonly called the
"Blue Book" is then issued.
What is the licensing procedure like?
Licensing is a simpler procedure than registration. If title documents proving your
ownership are in your possession, this will be adequate for licensing.
What are the benefits of registration
and licensing?
In addition to the obvious title advantages of registration, a Certificate of Canadian or
British Registry is the most respected identification in the world for a vessel if you
plan to sail abroad. Additionally, it is easier to sell a registered vessel since title
and legal encumbrances may be determined from the Ship's Registry alone and one need not
look further. A registered vessel is considered better collateral than a licensed vessel,
since title has been established and legal encumbrances must be registered on the Ship's
Register.
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