On Thu, 25 Nov 2004 21:57:55 -0600, Tamaroak
wrote:

Let's say I bought a five net ton boat to transport paying customers on
the Great Lakes out and back from the same location, not from one
location to another. These would be marketed as daytime or weekend
cruises, not fishing trips, although I could imagine someone might want
to fish. And what if the boat was not built in the US.

If my boat isn't built in the US, isn't there a waiver that can be
obtained for $300 to get around this US built requirement and allow me
to be documented? I believe this was extended indefinitely in September
of 2003.

It is my understanding that you can do this, but I can't find the
reference. The CG MSO locally can probably help you in this.

Although, I thought there was a reference somewhere that the vessel
has to be inspected at some point to obtain permanent documentation.

I believe I am still required to be documented, however, in order to do
this type of activity, right? And which type of endorsement is required
for this, coastwise, great lakes or fishery? And can I obtain these with
this waiver?

You mention further on down that you have a 50 ton Masters - as far as
I know, the only endorsements available for this license are sail,
towing and radar I believe. There may be state requirements for guide
licenses or certifications, but I can't speak to those.

You can operate OUPV and not have a documented vessel. We have
sailors around here who have OUPV tickets and take people on day/night
and several day cruises all the time and most aren't documented
vessels - these are uninspected passenger vessels run under OUPV
rules. The sailors over in Newport do this all the time.

Because this vessel would not fall under the "inspected" category, am I
limited to six paying customers even though my USCG license is a 50
Master's, Great Lakes?

No. There is such a thing as a demise charter in which you can take
up to twelve passengers or up to the rated capacity of the vessel if
it's less than twelve. It works this way - a group hires the boat and
you, as owner, provide them a list of certified Captains - one captain
on the list is sick, one is unavailable and you are the only one left.

The exact definition is this:

" contract whereby the shipowner leases its vessel to the charterer
for a period of time during which the whole use and management of the
vessel passes to the charterer. This involves the charterer paying all
expenses for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. Officers and
crew become servants of the charterer. A demise charter whereby the
charterer has the right to place its own master and crew on board of
the vessel."

That's the way it works with the exception of being limited to twelve
passengers. You can also find language similar to this when you look
up bareboat charters.

That you hold a 50 ton Masters, Great Lakes does not disallow you the
ability to go OUPV.

And do these same documentation requirements hold if I am training
people to operate this type of boat?

I'm not sure what you mean. If you are purchasing a vessel large
enough to require a crew to operate, then you are entering a whole
different area of law, both maritime and labor, not to mention
business. A little more information about the type of vessel would
help with the discussion.

Later,

Tom