Whats the official ruling? Canadian Built as a Charter boat?

[Palawanbound]

Good luck,hopefully you won't get measured,they caught me on Platts.If you see the man from the CG carrying a brief case when he boards tell them you are rec fishing,if you are doing it for hire & over the tonnage,you will not be very happy with the outcome.I argued with the Commander group 1 Boston & it was a waste of time,they know the foreign boats are out there it is only wether or not you get boarded or measured.The other problem is the states,they shouldn't be registering the boats in the first place,it is against the law but they say it isn't there problem to deal with it is the CG's problem & now with Homeland security they probably don't have time.It was a very expensive lesson for me I am only telling this so someone else doesn't have to go through what I did,I know a guy that killed himself over this,he lost everything & couldn't get the backing to start over,very sad.

PB

[Cpt Dave]

I know of canadian boats that fish for as party/charter boats...

I know a few too. Some also doing commercial tuna fishing, all illegally. There are supposed to get federal permits since they are over 5 net tons but get state permits.

[Captain Greg Sears]

I see this on the permit application for federal fisheries says to me as long as you report that your vessel was foreign built they will consider approval.


Indicate whether the vessel has flown the flag of another nation within the last three years. Also indicate if the
vessel, under its current or any previous names/flags, had any permit or license suspended or revoked within
the past three years. Provide the additional information concerning the circumstances regarding the suspension
or revocation. Indicate whether the suspension or revocation was related to a failure to comply with
conservation and management measures.

[Dogfish87]

Thank You Greg, I though, that was my understanding of what I read, Its a light boat, no wood and has low power comes in at 5 tons exactly. Thats why I made the decision, to with it. And its a wonderful boat, Beauty...

[Cpt Dave]

I see this on the permit application for federal fisheries says to me as long as you report that your vessel was foreign built they will consider approval.


Indicate whether the vessel has flown the flag of another nation within the last three years. Also indicate if the
vessel, under its current or any previous names/flags, had any permit or license suspended or revoked within
the past three years. Provide the additional information concerning the circumstances regarding the suspension
or revocation. Indicate whether the suspension or revocation was related to a failure to comply with
conservation and management measures.

Greg, just because a vessel has flown a foreign flag does not mean it was built outside the US. Not uncommon for US built boats to be used in the carribean, mexico, ect. Pretty sure your interperting this wrong.

Dogfish87, I don't believe there is any Donnel built 5 nets tons or under, at least there weren't when I was looking. The 35 footer is 16 tons gross, 13 tons net. Remember, there are not talking about actual weight but displacement.

[cap'n nasty]

There are hundreds of Novi's in this country and 99 percent are registered at 5 net tons.
Look at any commercial fleet, from Maine to California and you will see big 45+ footers with federal permits.
They leave fishholds and other areas closed off for measurement purposes and then open things up once they are registered.
They have done this for years.
Look around, they are everywhere.

[Palawanbound]

It's very easy to say there are plenty around,my old boat fished for 40 years BUT I was the unlucky one that got boarded,I lost $50,000 that I really couldn't afford to lose.The bottom line they are illegal,if everyone involved did their job you wouldn't be seeing all the novi boats fishing that are.I just don't want to see anyone go through what I had to or lose hard earnt money.

PB

[Relentlessfishing]

I went through this process with my current ride. You may operate a vessel of foreign manufacture in the coastwise trade provided you obtain MARAD waiver, which will cost you 500$ just to apply for, then the application goes to the Transportation Dept> for a 2-3 week review, then after that it goes to the Federal Registry for public comment which is another 30 2 weeks after that you get your waiver and . YOU MAY NOT SELL ANY FISH COMMERCIALLY FROM THIS VESSEL . But the kicker is if you call the folks at the Dept. of Transportation they will tell you NMFS issues the permits not their call.

So in short yes it can be used as a charter do not sell any fish I do not think it would be worth the chance.

[Palawanbound]

The CG at the time informed me that if I got caught fishing the boat again I would be fined $5000 a day from previous boarding,hell of a price to pay that is why I went back lobstering just as far up the bay as I could get!I want to go groundfishing this summer but it doesn't look good,right now I am only allowed 25 ibs of cod a day & will only be allowed 75 in May so it doesn't look good,I keep the clam hoe close at hand,the only damn job those bastards haven't screwed me out of,YET!

PB