Each province is required under the Act to establish a Provincial Small Craft Board, appoint a Provincial Small Craft Registrar, and appoint Provincial Small Craft Inspectors. Whenever a small craft is operated or goes to sea within NCD waters, the small craft must be registered in accordance with the provisions of the Small Craft Act 2011. The following vessels must be registered to occupy NCD wa
ters:
• Any craft or vessel less than 10 meters in length; or
• An air-cushioned craft or vessel; or
• A pleasure craft (PWC) more than 3 meters in length; or
• A dug-out canoe of any length powered by an engine and used as a commercial small craft. Commercial vessels under the Small Craft Act must also be licensed according to these types.
• Commercial Passenger, any fishing resulting in or intended or appearing to result in selling or trading any fish caught during fishing.
• Commercial Fishing.
• Commercial Cargo.
• Commercial mixed-use. A commercial Small Craft is one that is used for hire, reward, or any commercial purpose, including carrying passengers or cargo for reward and commercial fishing. Safety Standards
A Small Craft registered or licensed under the NCD Small Craft Act in Schedule 3 must be operated in accordance with the applicable safety standards. Operation Standards
For all small craft required to be registered under the NCD Small Craft Act in Schedule 4, the Operating Standards apply whenever the craft is operated or goes to sea. How to Apply for Registration? Registrations will be made available in various locations within NCD, and dates will be advised for your available location. Owners must complete and provide.
• A completed and signed application
• Evidence of ownership
• Evidence of compliance with the construction standards (Schedule 2) and Safety
Standards (Schedule 3)
• Fee payment (Schedule 5)
How to Apply for a Commercial License? The owner of a commercial small craft must license the craft.
• A Certificate of Registration
• Evidence to the satisfaction of the Registrar that the owner and captain have the
necessary qualifications and experience to operate the craft safely.
• Evidence of compliance with the Construction Standards (Schedule 2), Safety
Standards (Schedule 3) and Operational Standards (Schedule 4)
• Fee payment
Registration and Markings
Registration number
A Small Craft registered will be provided a unique registration number, the owner must mark and maintain these markings as required.
• Must be legibly and permanently printed on both sides of the craft 120cm from the center of the bow of the craft and near the top of the hull
• Letters and numbers must not be less than 10cm in height and 2cm in width of the stroke. Load line Marking
For all commercial craft and open craft required to be registered under this Act, a load line must be legibly and permanently marked on both sides of the craft mid-length and shall consist of a triangle 100mm high and 20mm at the base. The triangle shall be inverted when marking with the point of the triangle no less than 300mm from the top edge of the hull of the craft measured directly above the point of the triangle.
