License Required?

[mkjhartmann]

I happen to own a big catamaran that I would like to use in the US to give meet potential clients for my investment management business. There would be no charge or obligation to come on board, but there would be a short business presentation before in a marina meeting room.

And yes, I am talking more than 6 guests. Probably about 20 at a time. Again, none are paying, or under any obligation to do business.

Does this require a license for the captain, and an inspection of the vessel? Obviously the boat meets all the standard safety requirements, such as PFD, fire extinguishers, etc.

Thanks.

Mike

[Greenhand]

Would you be writing off boat expenses for tax purposes?

[mkjhartmann]

If that is the deciding factor, probably not.

Mike

[mkjhartmann]

I would probably write off the meal and drinks at the marina, but actually going out for the sunset sail, no I would not deduct the boat expenses.

[cattar]

Consider taking 20 potential clients out on a boat as an added perk at no cost to them after an investment presentation for which you've deducted your marina and food/drink expenses. Sounds like commercial use.

Consider what happens when one or more of those 20 potential clients becomes ill, injured or falls off the boat or there's a collision while they're on the boat. Are you self insured? Would you rather have had a licensed captain captain at the helm and had insurance for commercial use?

Things to think about.

[rgscpat]

Picking up on what was just mentioned, how does your insurance treat this?

One trick would be to get real legal advice from a real lawyer who actually understands the Coast Guard idea of what carriage for hire is or isn't.

[delmarrey]

20 people.

Sounds scary to me. You would have to have a crew for crowd control and handling lines.

[carstenb]

JUst how big is this catamaran? 20 people for a sunset cruise? this is a 60-70-80 footer?

[denverd0n]

If none of the passengers are paying anything, nor obligated to do business with you in consideration of the trip, then the Coast Guard will not require you to have any license. That's the short answer to your original question. The other issues, however (insurance, liability, etc.), are still serious considerations that need to be addressed. And, as rgscpat said, you really should get real legal advice before doing something like this.

Good luck.