http://blog.marinerslearningsystem.com/2014/12/so-you-want-to-be-captain-what-defines.html?m=1

Great post Phil ! Thank you
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I agree with all of it up until that bit about taking a potential client, many of which I do actually consider friends, out for a day of fishing without any expenses shared or fees paid. That is absolute BS, I'm certainly not cutting into some charter captains business by taking an engineer out on my boat, with his son's in tow to enjoy some fishing and a nice day on the water. Good luck getting a conviction, I can get each and everyone to testify they consider me a friend, what a crock. What makes me any different then the tens of thousands of salesman buying golf rounds, ski trips, vegas trips, you name it; as far as I'm concerned if money didn't change hands for the trip in question uncle sam can go F himself.

Passenger for hire were "consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage" on the vessel.
Consideration being defined as economic benefit.
Taking a client out does not guarantee an economic benefit.
Of course the Mariners Learning system wants students .....so what would you expect them to say.....
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how can these fines (10 k) be so HIGH
for something so obscure and undetermined
when fines for POACHING that is Blatantly Obvious
be so LOW... :huh: it makes no sense at all

thanks BILL (i did not have sex with that woman) Clinton

"A member of the crew engaged in the business of the vessel"
Keep jigging!

"A member of the crew engaged in the business of the vessel"
Keep jigging!

You got it boss
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Last i heard, chipping in for gas when carpooling to work doesn't make the driver a taxi ;)

I've known several guys who really were charting with a license. The fines they paid were nowhere near as high as the fines stated in that blog.

Wow unreal how do they enforce this. Lets say you take a buddy out fishing and he brings somebody you have never met. They chip in for gas or provide tackle in which they leave on the boat. Or bring bait food ect. This doesn't mean I am trying to run a charter business ??? I don't get it. This law has been around since 93 but I have never heard of it or heard of anybody getting fined for it. Does this really happen?
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