Frequently Asked Questions

Registering a Vessel What vessels are required to have a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)? How do I know if my vessel should be classified as a commercial or pleasure vessel? What is the registration system for small commercial vessels (Small Vessel Register)? How do I know if I qualify as a “fleet”? What forms and documentation are required to apply for a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)? What is the fee for a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)? How do I renew my Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)? What are the marking requirements for my Small Commercial Vessel Licence? How do I calculate the tonnage of my vessel to verify if it is under 15 gross tons? What can I do if I lost or misplaced my Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)? Vessel Numbering What is the difference between a vessel whose number begins with the letter "C" (e.g., C00000BC) as opposed to a vessel whose number begins with a number, and/or a letter and numbers (e.g., 32E 00000 or BC 00000)? Where do I obtain information on a specific licence number or official number (with a prefix and/or letter, e.g., 32E 00000, BC 00000 or C00000BC)? Air Cushion Vehicles How do I obtain the Application form to register a commercial Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)? How is tonnage determined for the registration of an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)? Mortgages Can I put a mortgage on my small commercial vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register? Names Can I put a name on my small commercial vessel? Pleasure Craft Licensing Where do I get a Pleasure Craft Licence?

Registering a Vessel

1. What vessels are required to have a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)?

All non-pleasure (commercial) vessels less than or equal to 15 tons gross tonnage are classified as "small vessels" under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and must be registered either in the Canadian Register of Vessels or the Small Vessel Register.   

2. How do I know if my vessel should be classified as a commercial or pleasure vessel?

A non-pleasure or commercial vessel is a vessel charging for service, including the carriage of passengers. In most cases, it is easy to distinguish a non-pleasure vessel from a pleasure craft based on its use.  If you are a commercial fishing vessel or you are profiting in any way by transporting cargo or passengers, you are operating a commercial vessel.  A fare does not have to be paid for the person to be considered a passenger.  Any type of business relationship between you and the person on board, where you receive any form of payment or profit for the use of the vessel, even if not directly from the persons carried, makes your vessel a non-pleasure (commercial) vessel.

Please refer to Ship Safety Bulletin No. 14/2000, Differentiation between "Pleasure Vessel" and Other Vessels.  

3. What is the registration system for small commercial vessels (Small Vessel Register)?

The Small Commercial Vessel Registration Program is delivered by the Vessel Registration Office in the National Capital Region. Commercial vessels less than or equal to 15 tons gross tonnage must be registered in the Small Vessel Register and does not permit registration of mortgages or liens. Further information may be obtained by calling our toll-free line at 1-877-242-8770.  

4. How do I know if I qualify as a “fleet”?

If you are registering two (2) or more vessels of five (5) gross tons or less or an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) of 1500 kg or less with a common owner, your vessel qualifies as a “fleet” and is subject to a $50.00 flat fee.

A “fleet” does not apply to government vessels (federal, provincial or municipal).

A separate Application for Registry (Small Vessel Register must be completed for every vessel and all applications must be submitted simultaneously in order that the vessels are in the “fleet”.

5. What forms and documentation are required to apply for a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)?

You must complete the following forms:

• Application for Registry (Small Vessel Register)
• Declaration of Ownership – Each owner must complete a separate form;
• Appointment of Authorized Representative (if required)
• Simplified Method

Also required is a copy of the Bill of Sale/Receipt or other documentation transferring legal custody and control of the small vessel to the owner/applicant. To receive your Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register), the original application and a copy of the documentation, along with payment of the fee are to be forwarded to:

Transport Canada,
Vessel Registration, Marine Safety,
330 Sparks Street,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0N8.

6. What is the fee for a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)?

The fee is $50.00 for the issuance or renewal of a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register ) or a flat $50.00 fee for a “fleet” of vessels, payable by cheque or money order to the RECEIVER GENERAL FOR CANADA. Fees are also payable by Visa, Mastercard or AMEX. A Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register ) is valid for five (5) years from the date of issue.  

7. How do I renew my Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register)?

A Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register) is valid for five (5) years from the issue date. Not less than 30 days preceding the expiration of a Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register), a reminder letter and Renewal Form will be mailed to the owner at the address of record concerning the completion of the form and the payment of the Renewal Fee.  At that time, failure to forward this completed form and payment of the fee to Transport Canada, Vessel Registration will result in the expiration of your Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register).

In most cases, commercial vessels must be inspected by a Transport Canada Marine Safety inspector to ensure compliance with the Canada Shipping Act its other applicable regulations, including the Crewing Regulations and the Marine Certification Regulations.  To establish compliance and to obtain your inspection certificates, please contact your Regional Transport Canada Centre

To ensure that your certificate remains valid, any change(s) to the information shown on the certificate, including a change of address, must be reported, in writing, to the Vessel Registration office in the National Capital Region within 30 days of the changes being made. Failure to report will render your Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register) invalid. Anyone operating a vessel with an invalid document is in contravention of the CSA 2001 and liable to prosecution.  

8. What are the marking requirements for my Certificate of Registry (Small Commercial Register)?

Registered vessels must be marked with the official number of the vessel in block characters not less than 75 mm high and in a colour that contrasts with their background. The number is to be located:

1. on each side of the bow of the vessel, or
2. on a board permanently attached to the vessel as close to the bow as practicable, so that the number is clearly visible from each side of the bow.  

9. How do I calculate the tonnage of my vessel to verify if it is under 15 gross tons?

Note: Tonnage is neither the weight of the vessel, nor a measurement of the amount of water it displaces. It is a measurement of the vessel's volume. Tonnage refers to the overall volume of a vessel.

The tonnage of vessels may be determined in accordance with the Vessel Registration and Tonnage Regulations, TP 13430, either by using the Simplified Method or a duly appointed Tonnage Measurer. If the vessel is to be measured using the Simplified Method [PDF file, 38 KB], this applies for vessels up to and including 15 metres length overall (LOA). For more details, please refer to the Simplified Method [PDF file, 38 KB]. If the vessel is to be measured by a Tonnage Measurer, you can either contact your the Registrar at the Vessel Registration Office in the National Capital Region or refer to Tonnage Measurements.   

10. What can I do if I lost or misplaced my Certificate of Registry (Small Commercial Register)

You must submit a letter providing details of the loss to Transport Canada, Vessel Registration, Marine Safety, 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa, ON K1A 0N8 or by facsimile at 613-998-0637. There is no fee for a replacement Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register ).

Vessel Numbering

1. What is the difference between a vessel whose number begins with the letter "C" (e.g., C00000BC) as opposed to a vessel whose number begins with a number, and/or a letter and numbers (e.g., 32E 00000 or BC 00000)?

A vessel whose number begins with the letter "C" (e.g., C00000BC) is a small commercial vessel, which was either licensed prior to July 1, 2007, or registered as of July 1, 2007 in the Small Vessel Register, and is the responsibility of Transport Canada. These licenses or Certificates of Registry (Small Vessel Register) are issued by the Vessel Registration Office in the National Capital Region. For more information on a specific licence or certificate, please contact the Vessel Registration office in the National Capital Region by calling toll-free at 1-877-242-8770.

A vessel whose number begins with a number, and/or a letter (e.g., 32E 00000 or BC 00000) is a licensed small pleasure craft, and is also the responsibility of Transport Canada. However, these licenses are issued by Service Canada Centres on behalf of Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety.   

2. Where do I obtain information on a specific licence number or official number (with a prefix and/or letter, e.g., 32E 00000, BC 00000 or C00000BC)?

A vessel licence number (e.g., 32E 00000 or BC 00000) is a licensed vessel for pleasure craft which is a different system than the registered vessels on our website. These licences are issued by Service Canada Centres on behalf of Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety. For more information on a specific licence, please visit your local Service Canada Centre or by call toll-free at 1-800-622-6232.

A vessel with a licence number or an official number (e.g., C00000BC) is a licensed or registered small commercial vessel in the Small Vessel Register. For more information on a specific licence or certificate, please contact the Vessel Registration office in the National Capital Region by calling toll-free at 1-877-242-8770.   

Air Cushion Vehicles

1. How do I obtain the Application form to register a commercial Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)?

Registration of Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) is done in the National Capital Region only.  You will be required to complete an Application for Registry form or an Application for Registry (Small Vessel Register) form.  Both forms are available from any Port of Registry across Canada, or online by selecting Vessel Registration Forms or from Transport Canada's Forms Catalogue. Further information is available from the Vessel Registration office by calling toll-free at 1-877-242-8770 or by facsimile at 613-998-0637.

2. How is tonnage determined for the registration of an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV)?

A weight determination has been established to assess whether an ACV should be registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels or the Small Vessel Register.

A commercial ACV equal to or less than 4,500 kg/4.5 metric tons All Up Weight (AUW) can be registered either in the Canadian Register of Vessels or the Small Vessel Register. A commercial ACV greater than 4,500 kg/4.5 metric tons AUW must be registered in the Canadian Register of Vessels.

For more information, please call the Vessel Registration office toll-free at 1-877-242-8770.

Mortgages

1. Can I put a mortgage on my small commercial vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register?

No, a mortgage is not permitted for vessels registered on the Small Vessel Register.  

Names

1. Can I put a name on my small commercial vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register?

While names can be displayed on small commercial vessels, their names are not recognized in the Small Vessel Register. The vessel is identified by it official number (e.g., C0000BC).

Pleasure Craft Licensing

1. Where do I get a Pleasure Craft Licence?

Pleasure Craft Licences are issued by Service Canada Centres on behalf of Transport Canada, Office of Boating Safety. For more information, please visit your local Service Canada Centre or call toll-free at 1-800-622-6232.

All pleasure craft that are equipped permanently or temporarily with a motor of 7.5 kW of power or more or with more than one motor, the aggregate power of which is 7.5 kW or more measuring 12 m or less and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must be licensed.

It is no longer mandatory for pleasure craft that exceed 15 tons gross tonnage to be registered.