Registration of Small Commercial Vessels

Overview

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.

Examples of small commercial vessels

The implementation of the new requirements governing the registration, rather than licensing, of small commercial vessels has resulted in changes to current business practices and processes, as follows:

• Small commercial vessels less than or equal to 15 gross tons that are not registered or licensed under the past (prior to July 1, 2007) system, must adhere to the new registry process within the periods stipulated under Part 13, Transitional of the CSA 2001.

• The applicant/owner must be a qualified person to own a registered vessel. Please refer to Procedures for Registration in Canada.  

• The main difference between the registration of commercial vessels in the Canadian Register of Vessels and commercial vessels over 15 gross tons) and those in the Small Vessel Register (commercial vessels less than or equal to 15 gross tons) is that vessels on the Canadian Register of Vessels can hold a marine mortgage, whereas vessels on the Small Vessel Register cannot.

• For the Small Vessel Register, there is a $50.00 registration fee and a $50.00 renewal fee every five (5) years. Under the Vessels Registry Fees Tariff, owners of a fleet of vessels qualify for a flat fee of $50.00. To qualify as a fleet, there must be two or more vessels, each having a volume of 5 gross tons or less with a common owner. This provision does not apply to government vessels (federal, provincial or municipal).

• For the Canadian Register of Vessels, the registration fee is $250 plus any additional costs associated with registry, including a tonnage survey. There is no renewal fee.

A Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register) will be 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 Renewal 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, Marine Safety will result in the expiration of your Certificate of Registry (Small Vessel Register).

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 may result in the suspension or cancellation of the registry of your vessel and rendering your Certificate of Registry invalid. Anyone operating a vessel with an invalid document is in contravention of the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (CSA 2001) and liable to prosecution.

In most cases, commercial vessels must be inspected by a Transport Canada Marine Safety inspector to ensure compliance with the CSA 2001 its other applicable regulations, including the Crewing Regulation and Marine Certification Regulation. To establish compliance and to obtain your inspection certificates, please contact your Regional Transport Canada Centre.

To assist you in registering your vessel, or processing a change of ownership or address, please refer to the following:

• Change of ownership/address
• Procedures for Registration in Canada
• Vessel Registration Forms
• Tonnage Measurements

In addition, you may wish to refer to the following for further information on vessel registration:

• Registration of Vessels
• Frequently asked questions on vessel registration
• Vessel Registration Query System - This system allows you to browse and create queries on vessels currently registered in Canada.

Further information may be obtained by calling toll-free at 1-877-242-8770.