welcome to our website
On-Water Canadian Boat Registry
ON-Water Canadian Boat Registry is an independent third-party service provider that assists boat owners with Pleasure Craft Licensing and related services administered by Transport Canada.
We are committed to protecting the privacy of our clients and handling personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws, including the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).
To learn about how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect your personal information when you use our website or engage our services, please read our privacy policy.
A unique identification number assigned to your boat, like a licence plate for a car. It is mandatory for recreational vessels and helps law enforcement and search-and-rescue teams identify owners quickly in emergencies.
You must now notify Transport Canada of any changes to your name, address, or boat details within 30 days—down from the previous 90-day window. For transfers, new owners must apply within 30 days of purchase but can operate under a temporary 30-day licence while the paperwork is processed.
The updated rules officially took legal effect on December 31, 2025, with major implementation milestones beginning January 6, 2026.
Currently, any vessel with a motor of 10hp (7.5kW) or more requires a PCL. Starting December 31, 2027, wind-powered vessels over 6 metres in length will also be required to hold a valid licence.
The Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) is for the boat, while the Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) is for the person behind the wheel. Your PCOC remains valid for life and is unaffected by these new rules.
Yes. All previously issued “lifetime” or “grandfathered” licences (those issued without an expiry date) are being phased out. Transport Canada has assigned them new expiry dates based on their original issue date, and they must now be renewed every 5 years.
Operating a vessel with an expired or invalid licence is a violation of the Small Vessel Regulations and can result in a fine of $250.
To process your registration or transfer, you will generally need:
Valid government-issued ID.
Proof of ownership (such as a Bill of Sale).
A clear, side-view colour photograph of the vessel.
Let us handle the application for you to ensure your paperwork meets all new requirements.
Start Your Hassle-Free Registration Now
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact Us
Questions, concerns, access requests, correction requests, or privacy complaints may be directed to:
P.O Box 22, 1070 Prince Street
Landsdowne, ON K0E 1L0
OnWaterBoatRegistry@gmail.com
Looking for a Boat Loan?
We can help you with that!