- - From Mustang Sally's first hand information about the BVI's, you can see that the business of doing charters varies from one island to another. In the Dominican Rupublic the law states you must be a D.R. Citizen or have residency to operate a
boat charter and the boat must be registered in the D.R. That is the most restrictive end of the spectrum and then you progress through Mustang Sally's area and finally to some islands where they wouldn't know what you are talking about as far as who's doing charters. They could care less. (Except maybe to collect a cut of the action).
- - So the particular island you choose will determine what you do need or do not need. Your customers will determine whether they want "insurance protection" which then would involve any requirements the
insurance company wants for sailing experience and license/proof of competence, etc.
- - You can be a "resident alien - "green card"" in the
USA and get the social
security number and work privileges. Whether a USCG 6-pak is valid or "worth anything" in another country is the big question. Why bother with the expense and time if the country you have an interest in either doesn't want, care, or recognize a USCG 6-pak?
- - In real life there are plenty of cruisers who if they were working in North America would be illegal because they have nothing -
insurance, licenses, certificates, boat inspections, etc. However they may be just fine doing charters elsewhere either because the location they are working does not require such things or the charterers/owners just don't want to be bothered to get them.
- - It comes as a big shock to some North Americans that outside their waters is a world that is not "micro-managed" by bureaucrats. You can pretty much do what you want including killing yourself and nobody really cares or will try to stop you. It is the old way called "personal responsibility" and it is a major factor in why a lot of long time cruisers are out here in the first place. Some others call it Liberty or Freedom.