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Chapter 2
Registering or Licensing Your Vessel
In Canada, you must either register or license a vessel that does not
exceed 15 gross tons. This requirement does not apply to lifeboats or
other survival craft accompanying a larger ship, which are inspected as
a part of the equipment of the ship. All vessels over 15 gross tons must
be registered.
Registration is the legal documentation of vessel ownership, similar
in nature to the title system applicable for a house. To register a vessel,
you must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada. A Canadian
or foreign corporation may also register a vessel.
Licensing identifies a vessel, but does not imply ownership or title.
A Bill of Sale is required for conclusive proof as to who owns a licensed
vessel. No citizenship or residency restrictions apply, but the vessel
must be principally operated and maintained in Canada.
ABOUT REGISTRATION ^
There are many advantages to registering a small commercial vessel. A
Certificate of Canadian registry is a respected form of identification
for international voyages. When buying or selling a registered vessel,
title information can be determined from the Ship’s Register. As
well, registered vessels may be mortgaged and vessels under construction
can be recorded for registration if you want to obtain a builder’s
mortgage.
Most aspects of owning a registered vessel do not affect how you operate
or maintain your vessel. The differences from licensing occur in buying,
selling, financing and cost.
Registration process
Submit an Application
for Registry
 , which you can obtain from Transport Canada through the Registrar of Ships at the intended Port of Registry or on the Transport Canada Web site.
Return the completed form accompanied by the following:
1. Declaration of Ownership
A sworn statement before a Notary Public, Commissioner of Oaths or Registrar
of Ships establishing your right as a Canadian Citizen, landed immigrant,
or Canadian or Foreign corporation with an authorized representative.
2. Certificate of Survey
Measurement of your vessel by an authorized tonnage measurer or surveyor
duly appointed by Transport Canada is required for registration. You should
arrange for the vessel to be surveyed prior to application. Having measured
the vessel, the surveyor will complete a Certificate of Survey
and forward it to the Registrar of Ships at the intended Port of Registry.
Formal measurement is not required for monohull vessels that do not exceed
12 metres in length and a breadth of 4.8 metres. If you own a boat 12
metres in length or less, you can measure the vessel yourself and use
a look-up table, or "tabular method," (Form 4A) to determine
tonnage. This method cannot be used for houseboats, ships having a barge
hull, or ships having more than a single tier deckhouse or a deckhouse
occupying more than 70 percent of the overall length of the ship.
Table 2-1 Tabular Tonnage Chart
| Length Overall |
Gross Tonnage |
Net Tonnage |
| Less than 8 metres |
4.6 |
2.3 |
| From 8 m to under 8.5 m |
5.0 |
2.53 |
| From 8.5 m to under 9 m |
6.0 |
3.01 |
| From 9 m to under 9.5 m |
7.0 |
3.56 |
| From 9.5 m to under 10 m |
8.0 |
4.17 |
| From 10 m to under 10.5 m |
9.5 |
4.85 |
| From 10.5 m to under 11 m |
11.0 |
5.59 |
| From 11 m to under 11.5 m |
12.5 |
6.41 |
| From 11.5 m to under 12 m |
14.5 |
7.30 |
| Equal to 12 metres |
15.0 |
7.78 |
3. Proof of Title
Proof of title, free and clear of encumbrances, can be established either
in the form of a Bill of Sale (Canadian), Legalized/Notarized
Bill of Sale (Foreign), or Builder’s Certificate.
4. Appointment of an Authorized Representative
The form "Appointment of Authorized Representative" is required
if there is more than one owner of a commercial (non-pleasure) vessel.
The form must be completed and signed by all of the owners, appointing
one of the owners as the "Authorized Representative".
The form is also required if a foreign corporation is the owner. The
form must be completed by the owner (foreign corporation), appointing
a Canadian representative as the "Authorized Representative".
5. Notice of Ship’s Name
Approval of a name for your vessel is obtained from Transport Canada.
Your application can be made through the Registrar of Ships at the intended
Port of Registry. The name you choose cannot be the same as or similar
to another vessel registered in Canada. Also the name cannot be offensive
to members of the public. To submit a vessel name, complete a Notice of
Ship’s Name form. Three alternative names should be provided.
6. Appropriate Fee
All fees are payable to the Receiver General of Canada through the Port
of Registry and must be submitted at the time of application.
Vessel Markings
Once your boat is registered, you must display the name of your vessel,
official number, and port of registry as specified by the Chief Registrar.
This step is required to identify your registered vessel and validate
the Certificate of Registry. The Certificate of Registry
should be on board your vessel at all times. Requirements regarding vessel
markings are shown on the reverse side of the Certificate of Registry.
Notice of Changes
The Registrar of Ships must be notified within 30 days of any change
to the information shown on the Certificate of Registry, including
an address change, vessel alteration, company name change, or transfer
of ownership. The responsibility for notification rests with the vessel
owner or the Authorized Representative. Failure to give notification will
render your Certificate of Registry invalid.
ABOUT LICENSING ^
Licensing Process
Many small commercial vessel owners choose to license their vessel because
it is a simpler and less costly process. To license a vessel, you must
complete an Application
for a Small Commercial Vessel Licence
form, available from Transport Canada through a Registrar of Ships, as
well as any Customs Office of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA),
or online. This form must be submitted, together with the fee and Bill
of Sale or receipt to the Ship Registration Office, Ottawa. After
the application is processed, you will receive a Vessel Licence, which
includes a unique identifier number.
Keep your licence on board at all times. Once a licence number is issued
to a vessel, it becomes the permanent licence number of that vessel, even
after ownership changes hands.
Vessel Markings
To properly identify your vessel, the licence number must be displayed
above the water line on each side of the bow or on a panel permanently
attached to the vessel as close to the bow as practicable. The licence
number must be clearly visible from each side of the vessel. You must
use block letters not less than 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) high in a colour
that contrasts with the background colour of your vessel.
Notice of Ownership or Address Change
Vessel owners should advise Transport Canada Marine Safety, Ship Registration
Office, Ottawa of any changes to vessel licence information and, in particular,
about changes to ownership or address information.
MORE INFORMATION ^
To register your vessel, contact the Transport Canada Centre nearest
you.
For a list of offices located throughout Canada, please see Appendix
2.
You may also contact Transport Canada Ship Registration during business
hours from anywhere in North America by using our toll-free helpline at
1-877-242-8770, Fax: 1-613-998-0637.
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