Just Ask John – Hot Off The Press

Just Ask John

Dec 3, 2020

Transport Canada announces proposed changes to the Pleasure Craft Licensing (PCL) Program and the Lets Talk Transportation consultation web site which will remain open for comments until January 15, 2021.

I often get asked questions about Pleasure Craft Licensing and how to go about the process which at present is free. In my comments I have regularly remarked that, in the near future, the 10 year renewal period will probably be reduced to 5 years and that there will be a cost to both license a vessel, change information and renew that license.

Well, that “in the near future” time has come and Transport Canada is seeking stakeholder input and comments to be submitted through their Let’s Talk Transportation website. 

Consideration of your comments sent through this site will be given during the development of the regulatory amendments. For that consideration you must let your voice be heard.

For pleasure craft owners here are the changes being considered by Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety for the PCL. They are doing this to increase safety, environmental protection and improve service delivery:

• Bringing grandfathered pleasure craft licenses (with no expiry date) into a 5 year validity time frame.

• Reducing the 10 year validity period for PCLs to 5 years to ensure that ownership information is updated more often.

• Expanding the Small Vessel Regulations to include all pleasure craft with motors of 10 hp. (7.5 kilowatts) or more, including personal watercraft, which are principally maintained or operated in Canada and, all pleasure craft, including all power-driven and sail-alone vessels over 6 metres in length, with the exception of human powered vessels (e.g. kayak, canoe).

• Reducing the timeframe for vessel owners to report a name or address change from 90 days to 30 days and specifying 30 days for the buyer to notify a sale or transfer of a vessel ensuring that updated information is available in the same boating season.

• Providing Transport Canada the authority to cancel a PCL if the license holder does not comply with the regulatory requirements.

• Introducing a service fee of $15 for PCLs thereby reducing the cost borne by taxpayers for providing this service.

Again, the time is now for your voice to be heard. Go to https://letstalktransportation.ca/pcl to comment.

Related Articles

Video Gallery

RANGER TUGS R-27

By Andy Adams

Ranger Tugs have been around since 1958 and they have developed a great formula: one boat, one price. Almost everything is included, and there is literally a fan club of owners who share stories, information and who set up events and rendezvous with other Ranger Tugs owners. www.Tugnuts.com is a community hub for owners of Ranger Tugs, Cutwater Boats and Solara Boats, all made by Fluid Motion!

Tugnuts.com is quite a unique resource. The online forum has quick links to a chat, info about cruises & gatherings, a channel to ask questions of the Ranger Tugs Factory, Ranger Tugs Technical Discussions, “How to” videos and more.

Read More

Destinations

Sailing into the Future at Antigua Sailing Week

By Mathew Channer

“Standby tack,” Canadian sailor Katy Campbell orders. The crew scrambles over the sheet lines and braces on the deck.

“Three, two, one, tack!”

I wait until the bow turns into the wind and the headsail snaps over, then crawl over the cabin top of Panacea X to the now windward side. The trim team smoothly sheets on the headsail and a competitor vessel shoots past our stern, feet away, as our Solana 45 beats eastward along Antigua’s south coast.

Read More

Lifestyle