The federal government has announced new regulations that will require pleasure boaters to renew their pleasure craft licences (PCLs) every five years. PCLs serve as identification numbers for vessels, similar to licence plates for cars, distinct from pleasure craft operator cards (PCOC) that are akin to driver’s licences for boaters.
These updates aim to aid authorities in identifying owners of abandoned vessels, with a $24 fee introduced for licence-related services. West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country MP Patrick Weiler revealed the changes in Sechelt, emphasizing the benefits of modernizing the database for swift emergency responses and improved law enforcement tracking of unsafe or abandoned boats to prevent environmental hazards.
Effective December 31, 2025, PCL holders must update their details within 30 days of any changes. The regulations cover pleasure craft with one or more motors exceeding 7.5 kilowatts. By December 31, 2027, wind-powered pleasure craft over six meters in length will also fall under these rules.
Boating B.C. Association’s Executive Director, Bruce Hayne, praised the new rules, highlighting the challenges posed by abandoned boats in B.C. waters. He welcomed the reasonable $24 fee every five years, emphasizing the importance of responsible boat ownership and retirement to protect the environment and community interests.
John Roe from the Dead Boats Disposal Society in Victoria supported the regulations as a positive step in addressing abandoned vessels but raised concerns about whether the fees would sufficiently cover the escalating costs of cleanup efforts. Weiler referenced upcoming legislation aimed at closing loopholes allowing derelict vessels to linger and increasing liability for boat owners in marine damage cases, responding to the concerns of coastal residents and various stakeholders.
