Vessel Registration Office

Overview

• Interim Registration for Human-powered Vessels or Sailing Vessels and Small Power-driven Vessels with Propulsion Motors Less Than 10 hp (7.5 kW)

• Simplified Registration Process for River Rafts

• Simplified Registration Process for Government Owned Human-powered Vessels or Sailing Vessels and Small Power-driven Vessels with Propulsion Motors Less Than 10 hp (7.5 kW)

Section 46 of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001), requires that all non-pleasure vessels, including government owned vessels, be registered in either the Canadian Register of Vessels or in the Small Vessel Register except for current exemptions, refer to Interim Registration for Human-powered Vessels or Sailing Vessels and Small Power-driven Vessels with Propulsion Motors Less Than 10 hp (7.5 kW). Pleasure crafts or those registered in another country are not required to be registered..

Registration is required for all commercial river rafts and government owned vessels.

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.

Those vessels solely used for pleasure are not required to be registered under the CSA 2001 but may do so voluntarily.

• Registration of Small Commercial Vessels (Small Vessel Register)

Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001), all non-pleasure vessels craft (small commercial vessels) including those that were licensed by Transport Canada under the Small Commercial Vessel Licensing System are required to be registered with the department's Small Vessel Register. Refer to the Transitional Period for further information.

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.

• Registration of Vessels (Canadian Register 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.