TP 1332E is Transport Canada's technical publication 'Vessel Registration and Licensing' which covers the requirements for marking registered vessels in Canada, including vessel name and port of registry display. For pleasure craft with a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL), the governing regulation is SOR/2010-91 (Small Vessel Regulations). TP 1332E applies primarily to commercially registered vessels and larger pleasure craft registered under the Canadian Register of Vessels.

Transport Canada Vessel Marking Rules 2026 — TP 1332E & SOR/2010-91 Guide

Q: What are the Transport Canada rules for displaying a boat licence number?

Under Transport Canada Small Vessel Regulations SOR/2010-91, a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) number must be displayed on both sides of the bow in block capital letters and Arabic numerals, minimum 75 mm (3 inches) tall, in a colour contrasting to the hull, clearly legible from the water. The number must be in the forward third of the hull, above the waterline.

Q: Can I paint my boat registration number instead of using vinyl decals?

Yes — Transport Canada does not specify the method of marking, only the result. The PCL number must be in block letters, minimum 75mm tall, contrasting colour, legible from the water. Painted numbers are acceptable but must remain clearly legible. Vinyl decals are the preferred method because they are precise, weather-resistant, and replaceable when faded. Pre-cut marine-grade vinyl decals are available from specialist suppliers.

The Key Regulation: Small Vessel Regulations SOR/2010-91

The primary regulation governing pleasure craft marking in Canada is the Small Vessel Regulations (SOR/2010-91), enacted under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001. Part 9 of this regulation covers vessel marking for pleasure craft with a Pleasure Craft Licence.

TP 1332E (Transport Canada Technical Publication) provides supplementary guidance for formally registered vessels — it covers vessel name display, port of registry, and the marking of official ship numbers in the hull interior. For most Ontario recreational boaters with only a PCL, SOR/2010-91 is the operative regulation.

Complete Marking Requirements — Pleasure Craft with PCL (SOR/2010-91 Part 9)

Requirement	Specification	Regulatory Source
PCL number — letter height	Minimum 75 mm (3 inches) tall	SOR/2010-91 s.902(1)(b)
PCL number — font	Block capital Latin letters and Arabic numerals only	SOR/2010-91 s.902(1)(a)
PCL number — colour	Contrasting colour to the background hull surface	SOR/2010-91 s.902(1)(c)
PCL number — placement	Both sides of the bow, above the waterline, in the forward third of the hull	SOR/2010-91 s.902(1)(d)
PCL number — legibility	Clearly legible from the water at reasonable distance	SOR/2010-91 s.902(1)
Spacing	Letters must not be run together or obscured by hull hardware	SOR/2010-91 s.902
No additional markings required	PCL vessels are not required to display vessel name or port of registry	Canada Shipping Act, 2001 / SOR/2010-91

Last Verified: March 2026 · Source: SOR/2010-91 Part 9 — laws-lois.justice.gc.ca

Why 75 mm Matters

A 75 mm letter is roughly 3 inches — about the height of a standard sticky note. At 10 metres distance on the water, 75mm letters are clearly readable. Numbers painted smaller than 75mm are non-compliant even if they look large at arm's length. Use a tape measure to verify. Pre-cut vinyl decals from specialist suppliers are cut to exactly 75 mm or 100 mm to remove ambiguity.

What Happens If Your Markings Are Non-Compliant?

Under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and the Contraventions Act, failing to display a PCL number correctly is a citable offence. Officers from Transport Canada, Canadian Coast Guard, and OPP Marine Unit have authority to board and inspect pleasure craft on all Ontario waterways.

Typical enforcement approach:

First encounter — verbal warning and instruction to comply before operating again
Repeat or flagrant violations — formal notice of violation under the Contraventions Act
Penalties — fines under Schedule 1 of the Contraventions Regulations
In emergencies — unidentifiable vessels delay search and rescue response

The practical risk is most significant in emergencies: a vessel with illegible PCL numbers cannot be quickly identified by rescue services responding to a distress call. Clear markings are as much a safety measure as a legal requirement.

How to Apply Compliant Vinyl PCL Decals

Pre-cut vinyl decals are the standard method for displaying PCL numbers. Application steps:

Clean the surface: Wipe with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth. Remove all wax, grease, and salt deposits. Surface temperature should be above 10°C for proper adhesion.
Position before applying: Use masking tape to test position. Ensure the numbers are level (use a spirit level or tape measure from the waterline).
Apply with a squeegee: Peel backing paper, apply to hull. Use a credit card or squeegee to push out air bubbles from centre to edges.
Remove transfer tape: Peel the transfer tape slowly at a 180-degree angle. If any letters lift, press back down and wait 30 minutes before removing.
Allow 24 hours before water exposure for full adhesive cure.

Do not use wax or hull protectant over new decals for at least 7 days.

Compliant PCL Decals — Pre-Cut to Transport Canada Spec

Pre-cut vinyl decals at exactly 75 mm (3") or 100 mm (4") tall — compliant with SOR/2010-91. Block letter format, contrasting hull colours available. Marine-grade premium vinyl rated for 5-7 years of UV and water exposure. Made and shipped from Niagara, Ontario.

Compliant with SOR/2010-91 s.902 · Last Verified March 2026 · Ships 1–3 business days

Order Compliant
Decals →

TP 1332E — What Is It and Who Does It Apply To?

Transport Canada Technical Publication TP 1332E ("Vessel Registration and Licensing") is a guidance document that explains the requirements for formally registered Canadian vessels. It covers:

How to register a vessel under the Canadian Register of Vessels
Vessel name selection and approval process
Display of vessel name and port of registry on the hull
Marking of official ship numbers in the hull interior

TP 1332E is primarily relevant to:

Vessels with a marine mortgage (lender requires registration)
Vessels making extended foreign voyages (e.g., offshore ocean cruising)
Commercial vessels (fishing, charters, workboats)

For most Ontario recreational boaters (trailered powerboats, fishing boats, Sea-Doos, pontoon boats), TP 1332E does not apply. The operative requirement is SOR/2010-91 for PCL number display.

Download TP 1332E directly from Transport Canada: tc.gc.ca/marine/licensing-registration

Frequently Asked Questions — TC Vessel Marking Rules

What are the Transport Canada rules for displaying a boat licence number?

Under SOR/2010-91 s.902, the Pleasure Craft Licence number must be on both sides of the bow, minimum 75 mm (3") tall, block capital letters, contrasting colour to hull, clearly legible from the water. This is a federal regulation — it applies identically in all Canadian provinces and territories.

Can I use any colour for my PCL numbers?

The regulation requires the PCL numbers be in a "contrasting colour to the background hull surface" — so it depends on your hull colour. For white/light hulls: black, navy, red, or dark green lettering. For dark hulls: white, yellow, or silver lettering. High-contrast combinations are required — you cannot use white letters on a light grey hull, for example.

Do I need to mark my vessel name under Transport Canada rules?

No — if your boat only has a Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL), you are not required to display a vessel name. Only the PCL number is required. Displaying a vessel name is optional for PCL vessels and is a personal or aesthetic choice. Only formally registered vessels (under the Canadian Register of Vessels) must display a vessel name and port of registry.

Can I paint my boat registration number instead of using vinyl?

Yes — Transport Canada specifies the result (block letters, 75mm minimum, contrasting colour, legible) but not the method. Painted numbers, vinyl decals, or other permanently applied markings are all acceptable. Vinyl is preferred because it's precise, long-lasting, and replaceable when faded. Stencil-painted numbers must still meet the 75mm height minimum.