Important Information Needed!!

[One Keeper]

Not to worry Steve I know for a fact that Ashley is licensed.

[snatch-n-reel]

Not to worry Steve I know for a fact that Ashley is licensed.

[cmccord]

I also took the USCG Captain's class a couple of years ago and learned that this was a potential problem...one of the reasons that I did not follow through and become licensed, the other because I was not intending to operate for hire at any point in the near future. According to my learnings, the possession of a USCG license and the receipt of monies constitutes a "for hire" vessel in the eye of the law. A person that does not have a USCG and is receiving monies toward a trip on a vessel is subject to operating a for hire vessel without proper licensure. I firmly feel that this is a bogus claim, but, from my understanding, is a real potential nonetheless. It is a wonderful "FREE" world we live in here though.

[RHTFISH]

I'm occasionally "for rent".....GULPS FOR CASH!

[CAPTAIN CHARLIE]

Re; Accepting money from people aboard your boat.

They are correct. An individual cannot accept money for gas or bait etc; unless he a licensed Captain.

However, as I was told in conversation by an officer of FWC last week, they don't check on wether it's a charter, or who is paying who. That's left up to US Coast Guard. They are looking for twelve inch trout you forgot to throw over board.

Now, if you take a few bucks, and If you see a USCG boat pull up next to your reggadyass old fishing boat, and if theCoast Guard asks if anyone has given money to the owner of the boat, and if one of your dumb friends says ,"Hell yes I did", then you're in trouble. But you're more likely to land a Marlin in Oyster Bay before tll those things take place.

See you on tghe water,


Charlie