Section 2.0

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Pleasure Craft Identification and Compliance

• Application
• Hull Identification Number (HIN)
  • General
  • Identification Code
    • General
    • Manufacturer's Identification Code (MIC)
    • Manufacturer's Hull Number
    • Date of Manufacture
    • Country Code
    • Marking of the Hull
• Safety Compliance Notice
  • General
  • Conformity Label
    • General
    • Example of Marked Information
  • Capacity Label
    • General
    • Example of Marked Information
    • Recommended Maximum Safety Requirements for Monohull, Multihull, and Inflatable Pleasure Crafts to be Marked on Capacity Label
  • Single Vessel Label
    • General
    • Example of Marked Information

2.1 Application

2.1.1 This section applies in respect of pleasure craft.

2.2 Hull Identification Number (HIN) 

2.2.1 General 

2.2.1.1 The Hull Identification Number (HIN) provides a uniform method for identifying:

1. any specific pleasure craft;
2. the construction standards that apply to that specific pleasure craft;
3. pleasure craft subject to a manufacturer's defect recall; and
4. a lost or stolen pleasure craft.

2.2.2 Identification Code 

2.2.2.1 General 

2.2.2.1.1 The identification code consists of 12 consecutive characters displayed as capital letters of the alphabet or Arabic numerals with no spaces, slashes (obliques), or hyphens between them. The code comprises:

(a) a three-digit Manufacturer's Identification Code (MIC);

followed by

(b) a five character Manufacturer's Hull Serial Number; and

(c) four figures giving the date of manufacture.

2.2.2.2 Manufacturer's Identification Code (MIC) 

2.2.2.2.1 The MIC consists of three characters displayed as block capitals or numbers, forming the first three characters of the HIN, as issued by Transport Canada, Marine Safety.

2.2.2.3 Manufacturer's Hull Number 

2.2.2.3.1 The fourth through eighth characters of the HIN are the individual Manufacturer's Hull Number, which is defined by the manufacturer.

2.2.2.3.2 No two pleasure craft shall be assigned the same Manufacturer's Hull Number.

2.2.2.3.3 The Manufacturer's Hull Number shall consist of capital letters of the alphabet or Arabic numerals, or both, except that the letters “I,” “O,” and “Q” shall not be used.

2.2.2.4 Date of Manufacture 

2.2.2.4.1 The ninth through twelfth characters of the HIN indicate the date of manufacture. The ninth character is a capital letter of the alphabet indicating the month from when the pleasure craft is considered to have commenced construction and is defined as follows:

A=January, B=February, C=March, D=April, E=May, F=June, G=July, H=August, I=September, J=October, K=November, L=December

2.2.2.4.2 The tenth is an Arabic numeral designating the last digit of the year of manufacture.

2.2.2.4.3 Characters eleven and twelve are Arabic numerals marking the model year of the pleasure craft.

Table 2-1. Example of Twelve-Digit Hull Identification Number (HIN)

ABC2AB41G091

Note on Table 2-1:

Table 2-1 is a typical example of a complete twelve digit HIN for a pleasure craft where construction commenced in July 1990 for the 1991 model year.

2.2.2.5 Country Code 

2.2.2.5.1 The country code is an optional addition to the HIN (ISO 10087 Small Craft - Hull Identification - Coding System).

2.2.2.5.2 Manufacturers and constructors of pleasure craft have the option of adding the Country Code prefix (e.g., “CA-” [block capitals and hyphen] for Canada) in front of the HIN. A typical example of a fifteen character HIN, including the Country Code, is CA-ABC2AB41G091.

2.2.2.5.3 The Country Code is a mandatory requirement for manufacturers exporting to some countries (e.g., countries of the European Community).

2.2.2.6 Marking of the Hull 

2.2.2.6.1 The HIN shall be permanently affixed to the hull or hull member prior to the completion of construction. No character of the HIN is to be less than 6 mm (1/4 in) in height and width. The HIN shall be located:

1. on the upper starboard quarter of the transom; or
2. the starboard side at the aft end of the hull that bears the rudder or steering mechanism if the pleasure craft has no transom; or
3. the outermost starboard side at the after end of the hull, if the pleasure craft has more than one hull and no transom; or
4. the outermost starboard side at the aft end of the hull, if the vessel has no transom.

2.2.2.6.2 A duplicate hull identification number must be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

2.3 Safety Compliance Notice 

2.3.1 General 

2.3.1.1 Every pleasure craft capable of being fitted with an engine that is required to be constructed according to this Standard shall have fitted to it, in a conspicuous position, plainly visible from the helm (unless exempt by regulation), a Safety Compliance Notice issued by Transport Canada, Marine Safety.

2.3.1.2 A Compliance Notice is defined as either:

1. a Conformity Label,
2. a Capacity Label, or
3. a Single Vessel Label.

2.3.2 Conformity Label 

2.3.2.1 General 

2.3.2.1.1 Every new pleasure craft capable of being fitted with an engine, which is not required to have a Capacity Label, shall have affixed to it a Conformity Label attesting to the fact that the vessel is built in accordance with this Standard.

2.3.2.2 Example of Marked Information 

2.3.2.2.1 The Conformity Label shall include the following:

1. name of manufacturer;
2. manufacturer's or constructor's identification code, MIC;
3. model type or number, or both;
4. label number; and
5. statement of compliance.

Figure 2.1 Conformity Label Example 

2.3.3 Capacity Label 

2.3.3.1 General 

2.3.3.1.1 Every new pleasure craft required to be constructed according to this Standard, which is not exceeding 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in length and is fitted with, or is capable of being fitted with, an engine power totaling 7.5 kW (10 hp) or more, shall have affixed to it a Capacity Label attesting to the fact that the vessel is built in accordance with these standards.

2.3.3.1.2 This requirement does not apply to personal watercraft, which shall have affixed a Conformity Label in accordance with subsection 2.3.2.

2.3.3.2 Example of Marked Information 

2.3.3.2.1 The Capacity Label shall include the following:

1. name of manufacturer;
2. Manufacturer's Identification Code, MIC;
3. model type or number, or both;
4. label number;
5. statement of compliance; and
6. maximum recommended ratings for:
   1. load,
   2. people, and
   3. engine power for outboard vessels.

Figure 2.2 Capacity Label Example 

2.3.3.3 Recommended Maximum Safety Requirements for Monohull, Multihull, and Inflatable Pleasure Crafts to be marked on Capacity Label 

2.3.3.3.1 Every outboard power-driven pleasure craft that conforms to subsection 2.3.3 shall have issued to it a Capacity Label on which the following ratings shall be marked:

1. the recommended maximum gross load capacity for that pleasure craft;
2. the recommended number of adult persons to be carried on the pleasure craft;
3. the recommended safe limits of engine power.

2.3.3.3.2 Every power-driven pleasure craft that is not outboard power-driven that conforms to subsection 2.3.3 shall have issued to it a Capacity Label on which the following ratings shall be marked:

the recommended maximum gross load for the pleasure craft;

the recommended number of adult persons to be carried on the pleasure craft.

2.3.4 Single Vessel Label 

2.3.4.1 General 

2.3.4.1.1 Every home-built pleasure craft capable of being fitted with an engine and required to be constructed according to this Standard shall have affixed to it a Single Vessel Label.

2.3.4.1.2 Every pleasure craft, capable of being fitted with an engine, manufactured, constructed or imported by a company no longer able to supply a label, which is required to be constructed according to this Standard, shall have affixed to it a Single Vessel Label.

2.3.4.2 Example of Marked Information 

2.3.4.2.1 The single vessel label shall include the following information:

1. (a) if the pleasure craft is manufactured or home-built;
2. (b) model type;
3. (c) label number; and
4. (d) statement of requirement for compliance with this Standard.

Important Note: The labels for those vessels not exceeding 6 m (19 ft 8 in) in length will also contain capacity rating information similar to that put on the Capacity Label, see section 2.3.3.3.

Figure 2 - 3 Single Vessel Label Example for Pleasure Craft Exceeding 6 Metres (without ratings) 

Figure 2-4 Single Vessel Label Example for Pleasure Craft Not Exceeding 6 Metres (with ratings) 

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