: Hi Ross, one more thing on this subject. What my brother said to me was this:
: A HIN is not obligatory for canoes & kayaks (by the CCG) BUT the
: police will need some kind of identification number (like a serial number)
: in order to even bother looking for a stolen boat. What I have in my boats
: is a self made label under the glass/epoxy that has my name and address
: and an identification number that I made up. It looks like this
: "GS20030418". That is my initials and a date that falls within
: the period of construction. My brother says that is all that is need for
: the police to react on a stolen boat report.

Again, Constable Larry Burden says otherwise. Since he is a police officer
I will take him at his word. He clearly says the HIN is what gives the police their authority, and nothing else. Your label is not good enough.
I hope no one steals your boat, because you may not get it back.

: So, it seems that the CCG has certain requirements (or not) and the police
: have other requirements. Anyway, I am going to try to clear this up with
: the CCG. Just hoping they don't get too political on this question and
: provide me with an answer that doesn't mean anything. NAH! They're a
: government body, they wouldn't do that!

: Get back to you when I learn more.

I will be very interested to hear back on this.
Thanks for taking the trouble to look into it.