I agreed to take a friend and his adult son out for some bass fishing. We are square on the shared costs of bait, food, and he asked to share fuel. but when I asked that his son go online and register, it turned a little bumpy. I simply said that I don't like it either, but that's the law. And it's my boat. His choice.....

How are you guys handling the registry issue. Anyone even considered it yet? It will be just this sort of situation that will make me a magnet for the EPOs.....

Since it is a relatively easy (go to website, register, print) and free process this year, I require ALL people on my boat to be registered. If I have poles on the boat, whether they fish or not is not relevant. I don't even want the potential hassle with the EPO.

I sent the registration link out to all of my friends and family members who might make it on to my boat this season, and as far as I know, they all registered on-line. No questions, no complaints.

There is a phone number to register if on the day someone boards your boat with the license. Be prepared to write the reg number down
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How are you guys handling the registry issue. Anyone even considered it yet? It will be just this sort of situation that will make me a magnet for the EPOs.....[/QUOTE]

Very simple, register or wave bye from the dock, the EPO's can be frustrating enough if they are having a bad day. Why add to it?

Last thing I want is to be sweatted by a 19 y.o. boarding officer for someone elses oversight.

Had my brother call the phone number (888-MRIP-411) last trip and just wrote the nubmer down, kind of like how they do it in FL.

You did the right thing in asking him to register his kid.

Since it is a relatively easy (go to website, register, print) and free process this year, I require ALL people on my boat to be registered. If I have poles on the boat, whether they fish or not is not relevant. I don't even want the potential hassle with the EPO.

Me too.

Take it for what it is worth but the EPO here said he is not checking for it this year. (per the newspaper) it is easy and free.


That said, taking money for taking someone fishing (even "gas money) though I believe puts you as a "charter fishermen" and there is some liability and responsibility attached.

So if your carpooling and ask for some gas money, are you considered a taxi? I don't buy this train of thought.
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Jim, he offered....his boat is not currently operating, and he knows what it is like. Another example would be if I were on the Vineyard, without my boat, we met up and you offered up going out on your boat. I would not think twice about making sure you let me contribute to fuel for the outting,,,, Doesn't make you a charter in my book.

I read the tickets three fisherman were issued at the bourne marina, back in the begining of May. Each of them had a ticket for $350-$450. The $50 part was for not having a Saltwater Recreational License. I wonder how many guys after reading this that haven't registered are going to register. I figure the ones that don't registered will get busted and natural selection will take care of them.

Question. Since it's an individual license, who gets the ticket? The boat owner or the unregistered person?

If you were fishing on a waterfront piece of property I owned (one can dream), would I get the ticket or you?

That said, taking money for taking someone fishing (even "gas money) though I believe puts you as a "charter fishermen" and there is some liability and responsibility attached.

No longer true, the Coast Guard changed that regulation a few years ago.

so noted...thanks.
(I would like to see what that says and what the limitations are)

To paraphrase it says its O.K. to share expenses as long as there is no profit involved.

To Mike's point, here's something from boatsafe.com:

'In years past there was some confusion as to what was specifically meant by 'passenger for hire.' However, that has now been clearly defined by the clarification of the rules below.

SEC. 506. PASSENGER FOR HIRE.

Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting between paragraphs (21) and (22) a new paragraph (21a) to read as follows:

"(21a) 'passenger for hire' means a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel.."

DESCRIPTION - The determination of what constitutes the carriage of a "passenger for hire" must be made on a case by case basis. This determination is dependent upon the actual operation of a vessel and the flow of consideration as determined by the facts of each case. In general, there needs to be some form of tangible consideration or promise of performance being passed for a "passenger for hire" situation to exist.

SEC. 507. CONSIDERATION.

Section 2101 of title 46, United States Code, is amended by inserting between paragraphs (5) and (6) a new paragraph (5a) to read as follows:

"(5a) 'consideration' means an economic benefit, inducement, right, or profit including pecuniary payment accruing to an individual, person, or entity, but not including a voluntary sharing of the actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution or donation of fuel, food, beverage, or other supplies." Additionally, employees or business clients that have not contributed for their carriage, and are carried for morale or entertainment purposes, are not considered as an exchange of consideration.

Bottom line: if you are a recreational boater, you are allowed to share expenses for a day on the water. Just don't make payment mandatory if someone wants a boat ride.