How to Obtain a Replacement Pleasure Craft License in Canada
Although a replacement pleasure craft licence may be a minor task, it counts. You never want to find yourself without the right papers on the water.
Boat licenses are lost — it's simply life for lots of Canadian boaters. With hectic summers spent on the water, storage reorganization, and paper that doesn't always make it through a season, no wonder lots of people ultimately need to get a replacement pleasure craft license.
And, in case that is so, there is nothing to worry about because it is not a complicated process. However, it is more convenient to know what requirements you will have to meet, when to make your application, and what to do and not do to get everything done successfully and without delay.
What is a Pleasure Craft Licence?
In Canada, you must have a valid pleasure craft licence, you must also have a valid pleasure craft licence, when your boat is propelled by a motor of 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more, and intended use is as a recreational vessel.
This licence assigns the boat a number ID unique to it which is supposed to be a number displayed clearly on both sides of your boat in the front sides and this is not to be confused with full vessel registration. A pleasure craft licence is attached to the boat, not the proprietor, and it's free to acquire or replace.
Why You May Need a Replacement
Individuals request a replacement pleasure craft licence for several reasons:
The original paper copy was lost or destroyed
The licence number decals on the vessel are faded out
You've made changes such as an address or ownership information update
You need to correct mistakes on the original licence
It doesn't matter why, it's always best to replace the document as soon as possible, particularly if you're going abroad or selling the boat.
What You'll Need to Apply
To obtain a replacement licence, you'll normally require:
The current number of the licence
A good quality photograph of the boat with the number visible on the hull
A bill of sale (where changes of ownership are relevant)
Your contact and ID details
You can fill in online or by post, but most prefer online for quicker turnaround.
Services such as Vessel Registration Canada make it easier to go through. They check your documents, verify accuracy, and deal with the submission to Transport Canada for you — saving time and back-and-forth.
Final Thoughts
Although a replacement pleasure craft licence may be a minor task, it counts. You never want to find yourself without the right papers on the water. So if you are missing or expired, it's well worth taking care of now — and enjoying the boating season without a care.