Canadian boats

[reelsportfishing]

Does anybody know the current status of documenting a Canadian hull as a charterboat? (Coastwise trade - uninspected no more than 6 passengers) This is all part of the Jones Act. I know years ago you could not do it. Then I heard it could be done for a fee and would have to be approved by Congress and would be time consuming. I am just wondering if anything has changed. I have seen some boats state registered chartering but I do not really know if this is legal. It seems they are well over 5 net tons.

 

[F/V First Team]

Only ways I know of are if the vessel is a war trophy or over 66% rebuilt in USA or some such foolishness. Uninspected vessels are just that, uninspected. They can be state registered, only need documentation if they are fishing in closed areas. If you aren't going to be doing that, then you don't need it to be documented. You could take them out in a canoe if you wanted to, just wouldn't be very practical.

 

[hntrss]

There are countless 6 man canadian boats from New England to Florida. Donneles are a dime a dozen. They cannot be inspected vessels I believe. I have done some time on a Provincial and the boat is a beast and built like a tank.

 

[MDI45]

R.S.F.,i have fished on a 42 provincial ,the boat was state registered and was used for charter...the boat was just bought by eastmans fish in N.H and is being used for a 6 man charter boat....so what everyone is saying NO DOCUMENTATION...but you can use them for charter..good luck

 

[Helen L]

If you put commercial permits on it, don't bring up the documentation topic if you have a Canadian boat. Technically you're supposed to be documented for all commercial fishing according to the woman I spoke with at the CG. Now, I know a ton of boats that aren't, but like I said, just don't bring it up. NMFS and DMF don't require documentation.

I also tried pulling the rebuilding card out but they shot that down quick on me.

 

[reelsportfishing]

How do they get away with the anything over 5 net tons needs to be documented rule? I would figure a 42 footer would be over 5 net tons. I was told that 5 net tons was usually anything over 25'. By the way MDI, NICE BOAT!!

 

[Helen L]

5 net tons isn't the weight of the boat, it's the hold. That's why the Canadian boats have bulkheads dividing the space under the deck, which bypasses the rule. None of it really makes sense but I wouldn't expect anything else from the Gov.

 

[reelsportfishing]

Wow! That is interesting. They divide the fish hold up with bulkheads. That explains everything. I always wondered how you could see a 48 footer at 4 net tons advertised. I also didn't know those provincials were pretty good boats. I always thought they might be rolly with the narrow beam. Learn something new everyday. Thanks

 

[Helen L]

My tonnage certificate states 19 gross tons and 5 net tons.