Obtaining Small Vessel Conformity/Capacity Plates

Canadian Coast Guard - Small Vessel Requirements

(NOTE: # indicates further information appears at the bottom of this document as a footnote)

Boat capacity/conformity plate regulatory requirement

Pleasure Craft operated in Canada must comply with the federal government's Small Vessel Regulations requirements.

All motorized pleasure boats made available to the public in Canada must display a notice showing conformity to Transport Canada construction standards issued by the Coast Guard.

Outboard motor boats six metres or less in length, which can accommodate one or more engines totalling 7,5kW (10 H.P.) or more, are also required to display a capacity plate issued by the Coast Guard showing the maximum safe limits of engine power, load and the number of people that can be carried on board under favorable weather conditions.

It must be noted that there is no substitute for the Transport Canada plates issued by the Coast Guard and that they are mandatory.

For more details on the conformity of boats do not hesitate to contact the Canadian Coast Guard Ship Safety Branch at (613) 991-3129

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Small vessel conformity plate and capacity plate process

This is a description of the process to be followed to obtain a combination Conformity/Capacity Plate or a stand alone Conformity Plate from the Coast Guard Ship Safety Branch (CGSSB). Under the Regulations this office is the only issuing agency in Canada for these plates.

Under the Small Vessel Regulations, all vessels up to 5 m #1 (16 feet 5 inches) that can be fitted with an engine of 7.5 kW (10 H.P.) based on the rating established by the Coast Guard, must display a combination plate for maximum recommended load and power, this plate also doubles as a confirmation of conformity with the regulations and associated construction standards all other gasoline powered vessels #2 must display a Conformity Plate. Boats from 5 to a maximum of 6.5 m may already received a combination capacity plate provided that they comply with the floatation performance of TP 1332 and all other requirements of the standard.

The manufacturer #3 must apply in writing to obtain a Manufacturer's Identification Code (MIC) from the CGSSB if he is based in Canada (MIC issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to US manufacturers are recognized in Canada and should be used. Similarly, Canadian MICs are recognized by the US Administration). Homebuilt boats receive a serial number from CGSSB and therefore do not need a MIC #4. Homebuilts are also subject to the plate requirement and after having provided the necessary information they are issued with an experimental craft plate.

An information kit is issued to manufacturers and generally includes:

• Small Vessel Regulations (Section 24 and Section 25)
• Construction Standards for Small Vessels (TP 1332)
• Small Vessel Information Sheet
• Statutory Declaration form
• Application for Boat Capacity Plate
• An Order form for Boat Capacity and Conformity Plates and one for Conformity Plates Only
• H.I.N. format

Out of this package, three forms must be filled and returned to CGSSB for process and issuance of the combination plate. If only the Conformity Plate is required the only forms required are the Statutory Declaration and the Vessel Information Sheet.

The document to be returned are:

1. The statutory declaration covering one or more models of boat built by the manufacturer, or imported in Canada. All new gasoline powered boats #2 must be covered by a statutory declaration. In this process, the manufacturer or importer as may be tha case, declares under oath that the boats built or imorted by him meet in every respect the requirements of the Regulations and its associated Construction Standard. This form is kept on the company or importer's file and the information logged on the computer for each model and the business concern. This information must be updated when a model changes or when the company name or ownership changes.
   
   Confirmation of conformity with the standard is required even for boats not subject to the Combination Plate display requirement since in this case they are issued a separate Conformity Plate (vessels not required to display the Capacity Plate must display the Conformity Plate).
   
   
2. A Capacity Plate application sheet must be filled out for each power boat model built or imported subject to this regulatory requirement. This is the basic information that allows CGSSB to establish the rating for power and weight carrying capacity of each model. This is based on the dimensions of the craft and its weight #5. The calculation is based on the regression of a large number of boats that were tested by professional drivers #6. The output of power, load and number of adults is then submitted back to the manufacturer for concurrence and certification that appropriate seating is available for the total number of people #7. For planning purposes a manufacturer should allow at least 30 days to process an application.
   
   The manufacturer can accept the rating provided or ask for a lower rating if he considers any of the recommended figures excessive. On the other hand if the power rating is less than expected a test that must be witnessed and conducted under the auspices of CGSSB, can be set up at the expense of the manufacturer to estabish that a higher rating is acceptable for a particular boat model.
3. The vessel information sheet is filled out to assist CGSSB to classify the various models of boat and is also used as the final crosscheck to prevent any misuse of rating method when applicable since conventional boats, inflatable, semi-rigid and pontoons are rated on different formulae.
   
   Once dues are paid, plates are issued to the manufacturer or his designated representative, they must be affixed by them to the boats before they are sold. Failure to do so can result in charges against the owner if the boat is used without the necessary plates. Manufacturers building vessels abroad and exporting to Canada should have the plate affixed to the boat and documentation ready before arriving at their port of entry to avoid undue delays and added paper work.

Endnotes

1. This limit will be increased to 6 m in the amendment to the regulation currently being processed.
2. This measure is being extended to all power driven vessel under the regulatory amendment in process.
3. A manufacturer is the builder of at least 5 boats of a given model.
4. The MIC equivalent used exclusively by CGSSB for homebuilt is QQQ for vessels under 6 m and ZZZ for others.
5. Weight is a consideration since many manufacturers are now building from a base model with various levels of options, floatation must be adjusted accordingly.
6. It is to be noted that the US are using a similar method with a different formula. The results of the US method are basically the same as Canadian results or slightly higher. The same is true for the maximum number of adults recommended for a craft except that in the Canadian process the number of seats available to the riders becomes a factor.
7. The capacity plate provides maximum ratings and loading in fair weather. This provision cannot be overstressed. The manufacturers and dealers have a moral responsibility to educate their customers for their safety, in this respect.