Serving Alcohol Aboard a Charter Boat

[off-the-grid]

Anyone know what the requirements are in Florida? Do I need a license? What if I only serve, but don't sell. (AKA: get one complimentary drink with a trip) I don't want a bunch of drunks aboard anyway.

I've been googling my butt off, and looking at a bunch of FL business, tax, gov sites, but not really getting an answer. It's really unclear, because as with most things they only seem to take landlubbers into consideration.

[Dennis.G]

Originally Posted by grunzster

What if I only serve, but don't sell. (AKA: get one complimentary drink with a trip)

Can't answer your question. But I would note that any lawyer would argue that if a drink is provided as part of a paid trip, then the customer paid for the drink.

[courageous cat]

I personally would not put my self in that position. I might allow drinking (to a point) but i wound not furnish it ps.ask a lawyer

[Don1500]

Suggest you find a charter boat that sells alcohol aboard and ask him. A lawyer will charge you for the same answer.

[captain465]

I would advise your clients to BYOB. If you provide or serve, you are taking on liability issues........If they bring their own, you are "out of the loop".

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by captain465

I would advise your clients to BYOB. If you provide or serve, you are taking on liability issues........If they bring their own, you are "out of the loop".

If it's your boat you are never "out of the loop".

[Tempest245]

In NJ it's as Dennis states...if a drink is provided as part of the paid package..then it's considered selling..for which you'd need a liquor license. It would likely make a big difference in your liability insurance.
Up here it's far more trouble than it's worth.

If they BYOB it's ok.

[off-the-grid]

All very good points. Maybe I'll just make it a free frozen drink and tell them there's alcohol in it.

[Ram]

I Never allow it onboard- a glass of Wine with Lunch is about it- You dont need that kind of troble- I have lots of folks who come and stay out all night and get drunk, come back and sleep it off- then many get Sea Sick when we start sailing, As you may know Drinking increases the risk of getting Sea Sick so it uselly enough to stop there drinking needs- If they want to party like that(onboard) I will put them off the boat!

[Bash]

Bottom line: you won't be competitive in the Booze Cruise market without a liquor license.

[off-the-grid]

I prefer not having too much on board either, even if we're just hanging out at anchor, and they bring their own. Drunks on board bring all kinds of risks and headaches. Are they going to fall out of the dink and drown. Loud, annoying, inviting marine patrol to come take a closer look. Often head problems after they leave, messes to clean up, etc.

I'm just going to be a 6 pack, so I can't compete with booze cruises anyway. I'm looking at doing just short sightseeing tours. The reason for the question is, I was thinking of possibly offering just "a" drink to sweeten the deal.

[TaoJones]

I'd suggest that you not feature any alcohol as an enticement to cruise with you, Chris. You want clients who want to sail, not drink. When they come aboard, you can use your judgement to decide whom you want to offer "a" drink to. If you've decided someone is a poor candidate to offer a drink, then he/she has no expectation of anything.

It's your vessel and you're responsible . . . maintain as much control as possible throughout the cruise. Look at it this way, if someone showed up drunk, would you even consider taking them aboard and heading out? If not, why would you want to contribute to creating the same scenario after you sail?

TaoJones

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by grunzster

All very good points. Maybe I'll just make it a free frozen drink and tell them there's alcohol in it.

Budweiser?

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

Budweiser?

Rheingold!

[off-the-grid]

Tao,

Good points, but that's why I said "A" drink. Aside from MAYBE offering one free drink, I don't even want them to bring their own. Avoiding it all together would be ideal, but running in a big tourist destination and party town, you do have to compete with all the other shiny things that may get their attention.

Although, with only one drink I guess I'm not going to compete with booze cruises and happy hours everywhere anyway. Maybe a better bet would be the old pay in cash incentive? Try to target people who are looking to do something different and/or ready for a break from all the partying.