Overview

• Registration of Small Commercial Vessels
  
  Under the Canada Shipping Act 2001 (CSA 2001), which came into force on July 1, 2007, all non-pleasure craft (small commercial vessels) licensed by Transport Canada under the Small Commercial Vessel Licensing System are required to be registered with the department's Small Vessel Register.
  
  The registration process for small commercial vessels in the Small Vessel Register will continue to be delivered by the Vessel Registration office in the National Capital Region. Requirements for registration are outlined under Part 2, Registration, Listing and Recording of the CSA 2001. This change will impact approximately 13,500 existing vessel owners.
  
   
• Registration of Vessels
  
  Nine regional offices located across Canada deliver the national vessel registration program and process routine applications. An office in the National Capital Region provides functional direction.
  
  Registration is a title system for ownership of vessels. It is similar in nature to title systems used for land registry. Registration allows for name approval, mortgage registration and proof of ownership except in the case of a vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register. Every vessel other than pleasure craft must be registered.
  
  Owners of pleasure craft not required by law to be registered may do so on a voluntary basis.