Services

The following links are to programs and services that will be of interest to the recreational boater.

Office of Boating Safety

• Boating Safety Accredited Courses Directory
  Boating may look simple but there is a lot to learn! Get Trained Get your Operator Card!
  
  
• Pleasure Craft Licensing
  Note: Since April 1, 2006 Service Canada delivers Pleasure Craft Licensing at all of their offices across Canada.
  All pleasure craft measuring 12 m or less and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must be licensed.
  
  
• Registration of Vessels
  Nine regional offices located across Canada deliver the national vessel registration program and process routine applications. An office in the National Capital Region provides functional direction.
  
  Registration is a title system for ownership of vessels. It is similar in nature to title systems used for land registry. Registration allows for name approval, mortgage registration and proof of ownership except in the case of a vessel registered in the Small Vessel Register. Every vessel other than pleasure craft must be registered.
  
  Owners of pleasure craft not required by law to be registered may do so on a voluntary basis.
  
  
• Capacity Plate/Label
  All new pleasure boats sold in Canada up to 6 m in length and capable of being fitted with an engine(s) of 7.5 kw or more are required to carry a Capacity Plate/label.

Operator Competency Requirements
The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require operators of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes to have proof of competency on board at all times. These requirements are being phased in over ten years.

Cross Often? Make it simple, use NEXUS
NEXUS is a joint initiative of the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The program is designed to expedite the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers into Canada and the United States. This allows both Canada and the United States to focus their efforts on unknown and potentially higher-risk travellers and goods. NEXUS members are subject to the same rigorous security standards as all travellers.

If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at all participating NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.

In the marine mode, NEXUS members can meet their border clearance obligations by calling a telephone reporting centre 30 minutes (minimum) and up to four hours (maximum) before their expected arrival in either Canada or the United States. NEXUS is available at approximately 450 existing designated marine reporting sites across Canada. For more information, visit www.nexus.gc.ca.

Service Standards for Marine Safety’s Fees
As a result of a government "Policy on Service Standards for External Fees" and the "User Fee Act (UFA)", Marine Safety is developing service standards in relation to the fees charged.

Navigable Waters Protection Program (NWPP)
is responsible for:

• Approval of any works built or placed in, on, over, under, through or across navigable water in Canada prior to construction of the work(s).
• Removal of obstructions to navigation including unauthorized works or other obstructions such as sunken or wrecked vessels.
• Regulating the provision and maintenance of lights, markers, etc. required for safe navigation during and/or on completion of the construction of certain works.
• Acting as the Receiver of Wreck by applying the Canada Shipping Act 2001, Part 7.

Navigation Services
Assumes responsibilty for aids to navigation, including the setting up and maintaining aids such as buoys, lighthouses and radio navigation systems, which help mariners pinpoint their location and avoid hidden dangers; educating and training mariners to use the system; and advising those who wish to set up private aids to navigation.

Environmental Protection / Environmental Response
The team has the largest federal inventory of marine pollution control equipment in Canada. Its services include monitoring and responding to marine oil spills and chemical emergencies; developing and refining standards that improve Canada's preparedness and response regime; and initiating and supporting new spill response methods and technology.

Icebreaking
The Icebreaking Program supports economic activities by assisting commercial vessels to voyage efficiently and safely through or around ice covered waters. With the support of the Canadian Coast Guard Icebreaking Program, most Canadian ports are open for business year-round.

Marine Communications & Traffic Services
Marine Communications & Traffic Services serves the marine community and the public at large to ensure the safety of life at sea in response to international agreements, protection of the environment through traffic management, efficient movement of shipping and information for business & the national interest.

Search and Rescue

• How to Report a Maritime SAR Incident
  The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is responsible for a number of Search and Rescue (SAR) tasks. These include the detection of maritime incidents and with the assistance of the Department of National Defence (DND), the co-ordination, control, and conduct of SAR operations in marine SAR situations within Canadian areas of federal responsibility; the provision of marine resources to help with air SAR operations as necessary; and, when and where available, and to the provision of SAR resources to assist in humanitarian and civil incidents within provincial, territorial or municipal areas.
  
  
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA)
  The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to Search and Rescue (SAR) and safe boating activities.
  
  
• International Search and Rescue Competition (ISAR)
  ISAR is an annual event between Auxiliary teams from the United States and Canada demonstrating various skills in the field of Search and Rescue. ISAR 2005 features events that are designed to test the volunteers' ability to plan, communicate and prosecute a maritime search and rescue (SAR) mission.

Other Canadian Coast Guard Programs and Services