Canadian Yachting October 2017 - 39

JUST
ASK
JOHN

John Gullick, AP
Manager, Government and Special Programs

How do you get a Pleasure Craft License for your boat?
First let's start by defining a Pleasure Craft License. All
too often the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is referred to as a boating license. It is not. It is a certificate
much like a school diploma. As such, it identifies a level of
competency, is good for life and cannot be taken away.
On the other hand, a Pleasure Craft License is a paper license similar to your vehicle registration form and it is represented by the 7.5 cm (3 in) letters and numbers that should be
found on each side of the bow of your vessel. A copy of the
paper license must be carried on board your boat at all times.

You can apply by regular mail or you can apply online.
To obtain, transfer or change information on a Pleasure
Craft License go to the Transport Canada website www.
tc.gc.ca/eng/marine-menu.htm. Search Pleasure Craft License and that will take you right to the section you are
looking for. All of the information, forms and how to use
the mail in or online process is there and easy to follow. For
French just click Français in the upper right hand corner.
Use the application process and form to:
* apply for a new license
* transfer an existing license (when you buy a used boat, it is
your responsibility to transfer the Pleasure Craft License)
* update your license information
* obtain a duplicate license, or
* cancel a license.
Why do I need a Pleasure Craft License?
A valid pleasure craft license helps law enforcement and
search and rescue workers identify pleasure craft in emergency situations. By law, any pleasure craft, including personal watercraft, that is powered by one or more motors
adding up to 10 hp (7.5 kW) or more must have a valid
license. You must display the license number on both sides
of the bow of your boat in block characters that are at least
7.5 cm (3 in) high, in a colour that contrasts with the colour
of the bow.
Currently there is no charge for a pleasure craft license.

Application for Pleasure Craft License
There are two ways to apply for a Pleasure Craft License.
www.canadianyachting.ca

THE PORT HOLE

During our Recreational Vessel Courtesy Checks (RVCCs)
we often get asked when will those who have had a Pleasure
Craft License for several years in their name be asked to renew under the new 10 year Pleasure Craft License renewal
program.
Here is the answer that Joe Gatfield, Past Chief Commander, recently received from Transport Canada:
"If you were licensed under the old system prior to 2011,
you will not have an expiry date on your Pleasure Craft License document. This license will never expire. The only
time you will have to update it is if you've had a change of
address, name, changes to the vessel, etc. In that case the
Pleasure Craft License must be updated. Once the license
is updated, you will have to renew every 10 years. If there
never is a need to update the license because there are no
changes to any of the above mentioned factors, then the license remains without an expiry for as long as you own the
boat. Once the boat is sold, the new owner, transferring the
Pleasure Craft License, will come under the 10 year system."

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marine-menu.htm http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marine-menu.htm http://www.canadianyachting.ca

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting October 2017