Can the 50.1 meet USCG Criterion for inspected vessel?

[JoeRickard]

Has anyone out there looked into having a Beneteau 50.1 meet USCG Criterion for inspected vessel? I’m thinking of upgrading my Oceanis 45 ... and if I could run charters with more than 6 guests, that would tip the scale.

I understand that if the boat is fiberglass ... I‎t must be certified flame retardant. Also stanchions must meet certain specs ... etc ...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Joe Rickard.

 

[mcrow33]

Most production boats don't meet the requirements for a USCG COI. I owned a ran a inspected sailing vessel for several years and there is a lot involved. You have to pass and inspection every year and a renewal every 5 years. Besides the hull needing to be made with a fire retardant fiberglass. You need a whole slew of safety features, like engine room fire suppression that is connected to the engine, only type 1 PFD, and if you operate more than 2 miles from shore, a life raft. The boat will also have to under go a stability test. Additional cost for insurance. On my Friend Ship Sloop, I was inspected for 17 passengers. I operated on Lake Champlain. My insurance was $3400 per year, which covered my required deckhand. Yes you will be required to hire a deckhand if you are operating a inspected vessel. You and all crew will also have to be enrolled in a random drug testing program that is certified by the USCG. I used to hire 2-3 kids every summer to work as deckhands. It cost me $600 per year just for drug testing.

The best thing to do is look up the local USCG inspector, and have a talk with him. He can

 

[JoeRickard]

Good Points. The most difficult challenge might be getting the required information from Beneteau. I received the 124 page USCG document on getting a COI for small passenger vessels. If you want to see it ... I can email it to you.

Joe

 

[mcrow33]

I believe I have a copy somewhere. My inspector gave me a copy before my first yearly, so I have one more thing to keep me awake at night.

 

[David in Sandusky]

So what is the value of a USCG COL?

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

If it’s not made in the US you would need to apply for an exception to The Jones Act:

REQUEST FOR ADMINISTRATIVE WAIVER OF THE JONES ACT
46 U.S.C. 12121, 46 C.F.R. 388 https://www.marad.dot.gov/ships-and...-waiver-of-the-passenger-vessel-services-act/

 

[Will Gilmore]

The USCG NVDC (National Vessel Documentation Center) maintains a database of registered vessel specs. If you call them, they should be able to answer your question about the fire retardant fiberglass for a particular Beneteau 50.1, if any has ever registered for a T-Boat license. They might also know what Beneteau builds their boats out of. Keep in mind this is a government bureaucracy. I know the US National Parks program sells memberships but fails to keep a database of members so if you lose track of your lic. you have to buy a new one.

Phone Numbers:
Toll Free: (800) 799-8362
Main: (304) 271-2400
Phone Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Phones are not manned on Thursdays

All Times are Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Savings, when applicable)

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[JoeRickard]

Great idea! I've called them before on other matters - they are pretty helpful.