Captains license questions

[beachcombersc]

I have long been wanting to start down the path of receiving licensure to professionally transport larger (45-up) craft for set fees. I don't necessarily want to have a chartered crew on board, just the transport side of the business. I wanted to know what's needed to start, and which ones are better getting down the road. I would like to start locally, maybe even transporting for boat shows and such.(If they will still have them ever...) Also, what liability insurances are common for this venture... Thanks everyone!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

FYI:

I am skilled in many aspects.

Knowledgeable in business ownership
Sailing vessels
Ship systems repair(including propulsion)
Motor vessels
Navigation/Communications

 

[Sea Gull]

Technically you do not need a license to do what you propose. At least not from the Coast Guard's perspective. But, most owners' insurers will want a CG license to cover you. But lots of people move boats around without a license. The size of the boat you are moving is also only relevant to the insurance company.

The basic license is the OUPV. This allows you to take up to 6 passengers for hire on an uninspected vessel. The next step is a masters license which gives you the right to carry more than 6 passengers on an inspected vessel. The masters license is also graded by vessel tonnage (25, 50, 100, 200) and by location (near coastal, inland, etc.).

Since you are not anticipating taking passengers for hire, you should be shooting for a masters license. Which flavor will depend on your sea service. A 50 ton, near coastal license should be your goal for handling boats up to about 60 feet.

As for insurance, there are others who can probably give you better advice. Basically you want to incorporate and get some basic insurance - including liability that will dovetail with the yacht owner's policy. You also rely on the vessel owner's policy to cover you and there is specific language that should be included in this policy. You want to make sure that the policy covers paid crew, the area to be navigated and that the coverage limits will match your own insurance policy. Ideally you want to be a named insured (not sure many owners will do this). You should work with an attorney to develop a contract.

You can find all of the information you want about the license at:

http://www.uscg.mil/stcw/index.htm

You can study on your own and sit for the tests at the CG office, but most people will take course with a private outfit that will also do the testing.

 

[fwebster]

I think your problem in this is going to be sea time in the type and size vessel you intend to deliver. The insurance carrier for the owner/vessel is the rub. Most will require apropriate sea time in the type and size boat you are moving. A captain's license makes them feel better, but that alone won't get you covered. For example, I run a 50 Viking and a 55 Hattaras for friends and a few boats for our local Sea Ray dealer. I also have the documented sea time to qualify me for a masters license so the dealer's insurance policy covers me in anything up to 56 ft.

It is generally held that the holder of a 6 pac or higher license will be held to a higher liability standard than someone who is unlicensed should something unfortunate happen. For this reason and the fact that I don't take any pay or haul passengers for hire, I surrendered my license several years ago. However, my understanding is that if your are paid for your services in moving the boat and there are passengers on board, like the owner or a deckhand, the definition of "passengers for hire" gets murky.

 

[Kameroo]

It is generally held that the holder of a 6 pac or higher license will be held to a higher liability standard than someone who is unlicensed should something unfortunate happen.

Frank,

I hate to stray away from the original question, but could you elaborate on that comment? Is that to say that a recreational boater with a master's license would be held more liable if they were involved in an accident or injury? Would that be in the form of CG penalties, or civil liability?

 

[fwebster]

No, it is more of a question whether finders of fault, (a civil jury or a law enforcement officer) are more likely to determine a licensed captain should have known how better to avoid an accident or a situation on the water than would a recreational boater. Hence, a license holder is more likely to be held liable than a pleasure boater is........but a $'s worth of damage or injury is a $ worth of damage or industry.

Although, honestly, in our area the commercial guys generally get a pass on pretty obvious rules of the road violations....until someone gets hurt or a boat gets damaged. Then they better have their ducks in a row.

 

[Alex F]

Frank,
What would be considered as valid hours documentation, do you use special log book or some other form? Does is have to be signed by anyone?

Thanks,
Alex.

 

[WFYB]

Originally Posted by fwebster
It is generally held that the holder of a 6 pac or higher license will be held to a higher liability standard than someone who is unlicensed should something unfortunate happen.

I have received exactly the same advice from at least two lawyers. As a result I took the 6 pac course, passed the test then did not apply for my license. I wanted the knowledge without assuming additional liability.

 

[osd9]

Because of the 'liability' issues, whether real or percieved, I also made the decision to allow my Master's License to expire.

 

[fwebster]

Alex,

Here is a link to a list of sea time requirements:

http://www.usmaritime.us/DocumentingSeaTime.htm

Since most of my time is on my own vessel, I've just used my log book (contains date, time on the water, and engine running time for every time we use the boat) in the past to prepare the necessary USCG forms.