If you own a boat or pleasure craft, you know that there are certain regulatory requirements that come with identifying it. One of those requirements is displaying your boat's registration number and validation decals. These boat decals serve an important purpose and failing to display them properly can result in fines or penalties. In this article, we'll take a closer look at boat registration number decals and what you need to know about them.

What are boat registration number decals?

First off, boat registration number decals are a set of numbers and letters that are assigned to your boat or pleasure craft by the province (or state) in which it is registered. The assigned number decal is a unique identifier for your vessel. For visibility the registration must be displayed on both sides of the bow of the boat. In addition to the registration number, your boat may also be required to display a validation decal that indicates the current year in which your boat's registration is valid.

Why are boat registration number decals important?

Boat registration number decals are design to help to identify and track boats on the water. This is important for safety reasons, as well as for enforcing laws and regulations related to boating. Without proper registration and display of decals, it can be difficult for authorities to identify a boat or its owner. As a result non registered boats can create safety concerns and difficult to identify.

How do I get boat registration number decals?

To obtain boat registration number decals, you must first register your boat with the province (or state) in which it will be operated. Each province (or state) has its own requirements and fees for boat registration. For the latest information, it's advised to check with your province's (or state’s) boating regulatory agency to learn more about the process. Make sure to stay informed about the boat registration and laws pertaining to boating. Once you've registered your boat, you'll be issued a set of registration number. The registration number can be made into a decal which must be displayed on your boat. There are usually size and color requirements to make sure the decal meets local regulations and is easy to read at a fair distance.

How do I properly display boat registration number decals?

Boat registration number decals must be displayed on both sides of the bow of your boat. The numbers and letters must be at least three inches tall and in a contrasting color to the background they are installed onto. They must also be easily readable from a distance. The validation decal (if required in your area) must be displayed on the same side of the boat as the registration number decal, and must be affixed in a visible location.

In conclusion, boat registration number decals are an important requirement for any boat owner. They serve an important purpose in identifying and tracking boats on the water, and failing to display them properly can result in fines or penalties. By understanding the requirements for boat registration and decal display, you can ensure that you are operating your boat legally and safely.

For more information on Boat licensing and registration check out:

https://tc.canada.ca/en/marine-transportation/vessel-licensing-registration