All vessels that are used and operated in Canadian waters are required to be registered or licensed. The Canada Shipping Act of 2001 calls for all waterborne craft to be registered by the Canadian Register of Vessels, an agency under the umbrella of Transport Canada. It is a legal obligation that enables the owner of…
Now that you have your vessel, what’s next? The requirements for registering and licensing vessels in Canada are detailed but straightforward. It is just a question of filling out the correct forms. Which forms depend on to what use you wish to put your craft. First-time registration is quite simple because the information is basic…
Sometimes, it seems like the truest statement is that nothing ever stays the same. Your life can be going in one direction, in one way, for many years, and then all of a sudden, everything changes. Sometimes, it’s changes you weren’t hoping for but other times, the changes are good news indeed. When life changes…
Moving through customs situations can be stressful if you’ve never experienced it before. It can be even more so if you’re on a boat and are uncertain of the processes. That’s true no matter what customs must be cleared whenever you’re crossing a Canadian/ US border. In fact, until you have made you way through…
There’s nothing quite like the joy of owning your first boat. Instead of having to be a guest on someone else’s vessel or taking the wheel for a bit, you are now in control. You’re in charge, what you say goes. There’s a freedom that comes with it. That freedom is exciting but it’s also…
A vessel’s name is important. Often, it’s very important to the vessel owner. Sure, there are owners who just name their vessel the first thing that comes to mind or something they heard that name, but usually it’s something that a person has thought about for a long time. The name can have a deep,…
When you have recently purchased a boat you’re excited to get out on the water. You are probably more concerned about spending a day fishing in the sun than worrying about forms and legal steps. However, if you purchased your boat from another owner you may ask “how to change the name of your boat?”.…
Yes, there is a difference! If you’ve got a boat from a dealership or from a previous owner there are rules and regulations you must follow. Following these regulations can get your out on the water sooner without any worries. These regulations cover both commercial and recreational and are set by Transport Canada. Transport Canada…
Owning your own boat can be a wonderful adventure and can open so many fun doors. If you’ve bought a recreational vessel you are probably looking forward to days spent out on the water with your friends and family and the possibility of sailing to places around the globe. If you’re a commercial vessel owner…
So you bought that beautiful boat for yourself, and now you cannot wait for the right weather to come around so that you can get out on the water and enjoy it. Before you make plans for that initial trip out, there will be some paperwork you need to take care of so you can…