U.S. Coast GuardThe Coast Guard cautions area guides that a U.S.C.G. authorized license is required to carry passengers for hire on the Tennessee River lakes of North Alabama.
The district office of the U.S. Coast Guard would like area anglers to be aware that there's a difference between a fishing guide and a captain--and those who operate as the former had better also be the latter if they are guiding on the Tennessee River lakes so dear to the heart of North Alabama fishermen.
"An Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels license (OUPV) is required to carry passengers for hire on the navigable waters of the country, including the Tennessee River and all its lakes," said John Hoesli, Marine Safety Investigator for the Alabama/Tennessee District of U.S.C.G. "The license is not required for lakes not attached to or part of navigable waters, but on the river the law is specific."
Hoesli said that the regulation is aimed at public safety; operation around heavy shipping can be dangerous, and requires a knowledge of the nautical "rules of the road" to keep smaller vessels out of harm's way.
Fortunately, getting a skipper's license is not nearly so difficult as it once was. When I ran a charterboat in Florida many years ago, it was up to the candidate to dig out the rules of the road from the federal gobbledygook rulebooks, assemble the other required knowledge from whatever source you could find, memorize all of it and then go to the Coast Guard centers in Jacksonville or Miami to sit for the test in person. (Yes, I do realize this sounds a bit like telling the kids about walking five miles uphill through the snow to go to school, but it's the truth.)
Now, you can learn all you need to know on-line with structured "Captain's Courses" that walk you through the exam sections step by step. You then go to a Coast Guard approved civilian test center near your location to take the test. Cost is around $600. There are also live schools which require a couple of weekends plus five weekday evenings at specified locations; Sea School is one of the best-known.
All candidates have to certify that they've run a powerboat on the waters they wish to guide upon a total of at least 360 days. They have to pass a physical and a drug screen, and to have an acceptable form of photo I.D.
Topics of study include the "Rules of the Road", which are like traffic laws for boats; "Aids to Navigation", which are like the road signs telling boaters where safe passage can be found; "Plotting and Electronic Navigation", which is learning to use the road maps, both paper and electronic via GPS; "Weather", and "Safety", including CPR and first aid.
For some of us, any school situation evokes unpleasant memories, but in general these courses are interesting and relatively easy for anyone who enjoys spending time on the water.
Hoesli says his office has only two investigators, and is well aware that there are many unlicensed guides operating on the river lakes.
"Sadly, you have some guides who abide by the rules and pay the fees, but are undercut by those who choose to ignore the rules. I liken this requirement to state laws for possessing auto insurance. You know there are people driving without auto insurance and unfortunately until they are pulled over for violating another traffic law, or worse cause an accident, no one ever knows and they are not caught," said Hoesli.
"Our goal is to educate the boating community both commercial and recreational on the requirements. Our office identified possible fishing guides several years ago and did a massive mail campaign out to all these guides explaining the legal requirements and we even provided information on how to apply for a license."
Some complied, some did not, said Hoesli.
"Unfortunately the next step we will have to take should we find these guides operating illegally is civil penalties, which can range from $1000 up to $27,500 per violation. We do not like to take this approach, which is why we try to educate first."
≈~≈The Daily Catch Team≈~≈
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