[Capt.White]

Have 100ton license with towing assistance and radar observer endorsement. Interested in setting up charter/guide business. Bay and Coastal waters. What is required? City business license? Type of insurance required? Recently retired looking for second career. Any advice greatly appreciated! :fishing2:

 

[hookinfinger]

Advice.

:clap:

Just kidding. Welcome to Tidalfish.

Dennis)

 

[rusty1652]

Have 100ton license with towing assistance and radar observer endorsement. Interested in setting up charter/guide business. Bay and Coastal waters. What is required? City business license? Type of insurance required? Recently retired looking for second career. Any advice greatly appreciated! :fishing2:

I got this from another board. (Barnical Bill from VBSP Net).. Hopes this helps you out. Also Megabite seems to know alot about this also frequents VBSF board.

-6 Pack OUPV Merchant Mariners License or higher

-VA State Charter Boat Permit, VMRC

-VA State Guide License, VMRC

-VA State Striper Charter Permit VMRC , all striper caught are reported by mail or online to the VMRC.

-Federal Charter permits NMFS for different species you want to target like Black Sea Bass, Flounder, N/E Multi-species, Highly Migratory Species for Charter/Head Boat, etc.

-Federal Trip Ticket log to report every time you boat leaves the slip this comes with your Fed Fisheries Permit.

-Safety gear IAW USCG, got to their website for the Charter Boat check list. Its different then recreation. un-inspected doesn't mean your not inspectable, It means you don't have to get the annual inspection before you run, but you may get inspected at any time and be sited if you are not in compliance.

-Current Survey to get Charter Boat Insurance

-Documentation of your boat with Coast-wise endorsement. Coast-wise endorsement may effect you if your boat is financed, sometimes banks will call the loan and make you refinance at a higher interest rate because you are chartering and the boat depreciates faster, they are just protecting their interest. This also means if you don't have the boat name on the bow port and stbd you need to get it on there IAW the USCG Documentation Regs.

-Business License for the City you are operating out of, which will also put your boat in commercial status and it will be taxed at the higher commercial rate. Permission from the marina you are running out of for Insurance and Zoning reasons.

-Enrolled in a Random Drug Testing Program, Letter of Compliance to USCG Drug Testing Compliance Officer, The consortium you register with will usually forward this letter to the USCG.

-Maintain an un-expired Alcohol testing kit

-TWIC Transportation Workers Identification Credentials, Homeland Security

-Advertisement

Well I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's more. Again the VCBA is a good organization to hook up with and we will help you keep it legal and safe, plus they help advertise for you.

 

[MeOff]

I got this from another board. (Barnical Bill from VBSP Net).. Hopes this helps you out. Also Megabite seems to know alot about this also frequents VBSF board.

-6 Pack OUPV Merchant Mariners License or higher

-VA State Charter Boat Permit, VMRC

-VA State Guide License, VMRC

-VA State Striper Charter Permit VMRC , all striper caught are reported by mail or online to the VMRC.

-Federal Charter permits NMFS for different species you want to target like Black Sea Bass, Flounder, N/E Multi-species, Highly Migratory Species for Charter/Head Boat, etc.

-Federal Trip Ticket log to report every time you boat leaves the slip this comes with your Fed Fisheries Permit.

-Safety gear IAW USCG, got to their website for the Charter Boat check list. Its different then recreation. un-inspected doesn't mean your not inspectable, It means you don't have to get the annual inspection before you run, but you may get inspected at any time and be sited if you are not in compliance.

-Current Survey to get Charter Boat Insurance

-Documentation of your boat with Coast-wise endorsement. Coast-wise endorsement may effect you if your boat is financed, sometimes banks will call the loan and make you refinance at a higher interest rate because you are chartering and the boat depreciates faster, they are just protecting their interest. This also means if you don't have the boat name on the bow port and stbd you need to get it on there IAW the USCG Documentation Regs.

-Business License for the City you are operating out of, which will also put your boat in commercial status and it will be taxed at the higher commercial rate. Permission from the marina you are running out of for Insurance and Zoning reasons.

-Enrolled in a Random Drug Testing Program, Letter of Compliance to USCG Drug Testing Compliance Officer, The consortium you register with will usually forward this letter to the USCG.

-Maintain an un-expired Alcohol testing kit

-TWIC Transportation Workers Identification Credentials, Homeland Security

-Advertisement

Well I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's more. Again the VCBA is a good organization to hook up with and we will help you keep it legal and safe, plus they help advertise for you.

That's a very nice post for a change CATO

 

[Keydreams]

Something I didn't add to the list is don't expect to make much of a profit. With the slow economy booking has really slowed down with the local folks. The (VBFC) Virginia Beach Fishing Center draws alot more tourist and is doing much better then most of the individuals scattered about, but even they are slower then usual. If you want a better chance to maintain a sustainable income get a boat that meets VBFC criteria which will probably cost you too much to ever make a profit, and join their fleet if they have room for you.

AKA Barnical Bill on VBSF

Catch Ya Later,

 

[HisDoghouse]

Another thing that may help is to join a professional organization like the one that Bill and I belong to, the Virginia Charter Boat Association. It will give you some additional visibility through our website (Welcome to VCBA) and it also gives you a membership in the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO).

We are also working with the Vinings Marine Group, owners of Taylor's Landing, Little Creek, and Bay Point Marinas to start the Little Creek Fishing Center. If you are docked in Little Creek, you may want to come to our next meeting.

Joe

 

[Keydreams]

Joe is in my opinion absolutely right.

When I initially made this post on VBSF the first statement (not shown here) made it clear that this is not a viable check list, but things I could think of off the top of my head.

When I was getting started years ago it was very frustrating because I could not find any single source as to what I needed to do. I would do this and then find out I also needed to do that, and to do that I needed to do something else and to accomplish that I needed to change this and buy that and so on and so on. If I knew then what I know now I probably wouldn't have started chartering, but I have too much invested now and I still love fishing too much to stop. It is defiantly a Labor of Love Job. If you make some money you better save it, because when things break its always expensive.

The (VCBA) Virginia Charter Boat Association and (NACO) National Association of Charter Boat Operators helped me identify all the sources I needed, and you can get on a mailing list to help keep you informed since the regs are constantly changing or updating. To give you an example the VCBA had a meeting last night at the Ship's Cabin in Norfolk with USCG Sector Hampton Roads, and they were very informative on clarifying regulations and many issues of concern for Charter Boat Captains.

 

[rusty1652]

That's a very nice post for a change CATO

CATO, :nono:

Are you LOOKING FOR Trouble!!! You should change your handle to PissMeOff. instead of MeOff. I have my own opinon of the VBFC and some of the Charters there and thats just the way it is!! I have had Bad experience's from them. And it's my right to say so!! That's just my opinon and I don't care if you or anyone agrees with me or not. :nono:

 

[jalegg]

If this is who I think it is, the best advice I could give you is to partner up with your ex-son inlaw. He is a genius.

Jason

 

[MeOff]

CATO, :nono:

Are you LOOKING FOR Trouble!!! You should change your handle to PissMeOff. instead of MeOff. I have my own opinon of the VBFC and some of the Charters there and thats just the way it is!! I have had Bad experience's from them. And it's my right to say so!! That's just my opinon and I don't care if you or anyone agrees with me or not. :nono:

What happened to your sense of humor?
I'll stop now...Promise. BTW It's JACK:yes:

 

[rusty1652]

What happened to your sense of humor?
I'll stop now...Promise. BTW It's JACK:yes:

It's still there, Jack!! I don't really get mad like some do! After all it's just a BLOG. Now get off my back Jack.:thumbup:

 

[27 sailfish]

Best advice would be to mate on a boat at least a few trips to get a feel for it.You'll see the "profit" of a trip is not much.

About 7 years ago - I looked into it in Md.After talking to a lot of charter captains - I decided not too.Way too much money to lay out and not much profit for 8-12 hour days.

One overlooked thing is warranty on boat/motors often do not include commerial use.

Very,very tough way to make a living right now - even tougher for a new guy.

 

[surf rat]

Requirement

You are forgetting the most important requirement of all...being able to catch fish.

 

[Capt.White]

it is. and your welcome to join me.

If this is who I think it is, the best advice I could give you is to partner up with your ex-son inlaw. He is a genius.

Jason

It is, good thing we don't need the money. At least we can have fun and catch fish.

 

[Capt.White]

Thanks

I got this from another board. (Barnical Bill from VBSP Net).. Hopes this helps you out. Also Megabite seems to know alot about this also frequents VBSF board.

-6 Pack OUPV Merchant Mariners License or higher

-VA State Charter Boat Permit, VMRC

-VA State Guide License, VMRC

-VA State Striper Charter Permit VMRC , all striper caught are reported by mail or online to the VMRC.

-Federal Charter permits NMFS for different species you want to target like Black Sea Bass, Flounder, N/E Multi-species, Highly Migratory Species for Charter/Head Boat, etc.

-Federal Trip Ticket log to report every time you boat leaves the slip this comes with your Fed Fisheries Permit.

-Safety gear IAW USCG, got to their website for the Charter Boat check list. Its different then recreation. un-inspected doesn't mean your not inspectable, It means you don't have to get the annual inspection before you run, but you may get inspected at any time and be sited if you are not in compliance.

-Current Survey to get Charter Boat Insurance

-Documentation of your boat with Coast-wise endorsement. Coast-wise endorsement may effect you if your boat is financed, sometimes banks will call the loan and make you refinance at a higher interest rate because you are chartering and the boat depreciates faster, they are just protecting their interest. This also means if you don't have the boat name on the bow port and stbd you need to get it on there IAW the USCG Documentation Regs.

-Business License for the City you are operating out of, which will also put your boat in commercial status and it will be taxed at the higher commercial rate. Permission from the marina you are running out of for Insurance and Zoning reasons.

-Enrolled in a Random Drug Testing Program, Letter of Compliance to USCG Drug Testing Compliance Officer, The consortium you register with will usually forward this letter to the USCG.

-Maintain an un-expired Alcohol testing kit

-TWIC Transportation Workers Identification Credentials, Homeland Security

-Advertisement

Well I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but I'm sure there's more. Again the VCBA is a good organization to hook up with and we will help you keep it legal and safe, plus they help advertise for you.

Thanks for all the info. Luckly I don't need to do it for the money. Just want to do something that I love doing. Spending time on the water and fishing.

 

[Worm]

Surf rat makes good point. Do you even know how to fish.?? Theres plenty of them out there that just GOT THE LISCENSE, NOW IM A REAL CAPT!!! Just lookin for somthin to do. Learn the trade then worry about the other stuff. Allready plenty of retired people lookin for sumthin to do in this trade.

 

[Ida Mae]

wow , you guys sure are hard on the new guy.....what ever happened to respecting your elders.........

 

[captain mike]

Don't do it.

Don't make it your sole source.

 

[lyle]

Enjoy yourself !!!!!!!!!!!! Thats all that matters.

get yourself set up, find your nitch and have at it !!!!!!!!

As long as you are happy and dont expect to get rich ! Or need to make a living doing it. GO for it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"FEITCTAJ " ! Translated the last few letters means ( if they cant take a joke )

 

[Ida Mae]

well said Lyle....im in the midst of getting my license......kinda shocked at some of the responses...ecspecially Worms reply......" what do you care if there are plenty of retired people looking for something to do in this trade". Just curious......Do you know how to fish????? you would think that someone that is looking to get into something that you take part of......people shouldnt be so........SALTY...ecspecially to one that im assuming is one of your elders....whats wrong with you.....geuss you aint fishing much......problably just looking for something to do