Maritime Law Center
1198 Pacific Coast Hwy, D347, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Phone: 562-592-9350 / Fax: 562-684-4459
NEW Email: mikevaughn1997@gmail.com
Our firm works with individuals, corporations, shipping companies and universities in selling and acquiring, transferring and evaluating vessels in all parts of the world.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Can the Owner be aboard a boat which is under a bare boat charter?
ANSWER: No. The true bare boat charter requires the owner to relinquish complete ownership, possession and control. The charterer must select and hire his own captain and crew. Guest are limited to 12 persons maximum. You may not charter individual guests for passage.
Can a foreign-built or registered boat conduct a voyage to nowhere from a U.S. port?
ANSWER: Yes. If the vessel departs from a US dock travels into international waters and returns to exactly the same dock with all passengers with which it departed. Vessel is still subject to USCG inspection and customs requirements.
Can a foreign captain be the master of a U.S.-flagged vessel when not in Jones Act service?
ANSWER: No. A U.S.- flagged vessel must always have a captain who is a US citizen.
Are the U.S. Virgin Islands excluded from the Jones Act?
ANSWER: Yes, but it is complicated. By the statute the Jones Act does not apply to coast-wise trade in the Virgin Islands. Very dependent on facts of the case.
Can a foreign-built vessel charter in U.S. waters?
ANSWER: It depends. A foreign-built vessel more than 3 years old can apply and receive a waiver to allow it to operate as a 6 passenger or 12 passenger vessel. Without the waiver, it can only do true bare boat charters.
What is the difference between a 6 Passenger and a 12 passenger boat?
ANSWER: Size. To be able to carry 12 passengers the boat must measure at least 100 tons.