Have you ever wondered why some boats have names and cities written on the backs of them while some are outfitted with numbers? That’s because if a boat meets a certain set of criteria, the captain must have it licensed or registered. Boaters in Nova Scotia know that to be a smart and responsible boater, they must know and understand the rules.
When a captain is boating with a vessel whose motor exceeds ten horsepower, they need to have their boat licensed. To obtain the vessel license, boaters in Nova Scotia can apply for free by mail or online. Once the captain has the license, known as a Pleasure Craft License, there are some things that need to happen. The captain must ensure that each and every time they are out on the water the license card is on board – they could face a $250 fine if caught without it. In addition, the number that is displayed on the license card must be shown on the bow of the boat. The numbers must be printed in seven-centimetre-tall letters in colours that contrast the bow. In an emergency, search-and-rescue personnel will use the license number to identify boats in distress so it is important that this is displayed properly and that the captain is familiar with the number – just like drivers should know the license plate number on their car.
If any of the information on the license changes – such as the owners name or address – it is the captain’s responsibility to get their license updated – it’s the same as with your Health Card. The vessel license, or pleasure craft license, must also be renewed every 10 years.
For 90 days after a new boat has been purchased, a captain is permitted to operate without their boat licensed. Instead, they must carry documentation detailing their name, address, and purchase date of the vessel in exchange for the license for 90-days from the date of purchase. After the grace period is over, the captain must get their vessel licensed before getting out on the water.
Boats that will be travelling outside of Canada, or vessels that are large enough to require a marine mortgage – or both – need to be officially registered. There are a few key differences between getting a Pleasure Craft license and having a vessel registered, the first being that registry comes at a cost of $250.00. Many captains prefer registry for the fun benefits that it offers, such as the ability to officially name their boat. When a vessel gets registered, captains assign the name of their boat as well as the port of registry, for example: “Sea Dog, St. Johns, NS”. Registered vessels must also display the tonnage and official number of the boat on the interior.
Similar to boats with Pleasure Craft Licenses, the name assigned to a registered vessel will be used to identify it in case of emergency. For this reason, it is a good idea to make sure that the name is concise and clear so that it can be easily communicated back and forth between rescue personnel.
It is a captain’s responsibility to make sure that, if needed, their boat is registered or licensed to drive. If they shirk their responsibility, they have to pay the price. If your boat meets any of these criteria, be a responsible captain and get your vessel registered or licensed. If you are unsure as to if your boat needs to be licensed or registered, contact the Vessel Registration Office for more information.
In Nova Scotia, you also need your official Pleasure Craft Operator Card in order to be a certified boater – plus the course will teach you all you need to know about being a safe and responsible operator. Take the Transport Canada approved boating safety course and admire the Maritimes.