NASBLA Roundtable

If a Rental livery employee drives a 4-passenger jet car boat with 3 paying passengers on a tour of the harbor does that employee need a captain's license to drive the jet car. I assume since they are paying passengers, they would need a license but because of the size of a jet car does this still apply?

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Philip Hager
Maryland Natural Resource Police
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So….if this passenger for hire operation is occurring on a federal navigable waterway, the answer is YES.  

if it's only within state waters where the USCG does not have authority, it would be up to the state to determine.  

A useful chart to make a determination can be found here: https://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/P-DEPT/PaxForHire_GuideChart.pdf

If you would like to see the nations premier FB page on all matters pertaining to illegal charters visit here: https://m.facebook.com/groups/489022675264936/?wtsid=rdr_0LKSBeVB2KeIAskRl

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Jesus Porrata
Lead Marine Investigation
Sector Miami Investigations Division
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Phillip,
It’s my understanding of the law that if you have pain passengers, the operator of the craft must have a Captains certification to perform their duties. Should anything happen, the liability will fall on the Captain, his/her knowledge and education.
Tony Hargett
Aqua 7 Rescue
916 300-7628

Yep
Sent from my iPhone

Yes. Paying passengers. 6 pack would suffice for this uninspected boat 

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[Rich] [Barreto]
[Capt]
[Miss Jo]
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The answer is yes he needs a Captains for any passengers for hire either directly paying on in exchange for goods. Is my opinion.

If you are operating the vessel on sole state waters No USCG license is required. If you are operating as a law enforcement officer, state officer or emergency services boat operator and are carrying passengers and being paid by the state or other government agency you are not required to have a USCG license.  Addressing Phil's question those operators taking passengers out for hire even if there are others aboard not paying, the operator of the boat needs to have a USCG License (OUPV). Now with that being said, does that license make them a better boat operator? My answer is NO, the operation of the craft is a skill the USCG license does not address in getting that merchant mariner credential. A safer system would be having a credential showing you have be trained in operating the boat you are being paid to operate along with a state boating safety certificate. Keep in mind, I am referring to inland waterways on small boats less than 27ft. 

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Virgil Chambers
Boating and Water Safety Consultant
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2025 05:46 PM
From: David Kowalski
Subject: 4 passenger jet car boat

Hello. It is my impression that at any time a person receives a payment from a non-crew member a USCG license is required regardless of the form of payment. Once the distinction of a provider/operator and passenger role is made, the vessel operator is now required to be credentialed. Some areas also require a local credential beyond the USCG license. I am curious if a state credential could override the need for the USCG license on state waters. 

Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device