Not really, you just can't do anything for pay. A license may make it easier to charter boats without additional experience documentation, but if you're qualified you can document it.
Not true. You must be "acting under the authority of your license" for that license to come into play. Riding as a passenger you have no authority. Also operating a vessel for which no license is required (your own private vessel) is not operating under authority. You would have no more liability than you would as a licensed driver riding a bus. This has been discussed here before.
Sorry Benny, that "drawback" is an old sailor's tale. Actually BoatUS LOWERED my insurance about 15% when I got my 6 pack cert and asked them about a discount. Also, in other posts, no one has been able to document an actual case where simply being licensed and on a boat increased someone's responsibility in the event of an incident. I'd love to hear any evidence you have (or anyone else has) to the contrary.
Glad to hear that sound judgment has finally prevailed in the insurance field, not that I'm surprised that BoatUS has taken such a position as they are a first rate marine insurer which I have dealt with for many years. Regarding the issues of responsibility I was referring to comments made by a friend of mine who holds a 200 ton Masters ticket and Captains a river boat indicating he could be called to explain his actions in case of an accident even if he was not in command of a vessel. In any case responsibility is adjudged by a court of law and the outcome of any case is never written in stone. I agree with the assessment that having a license is a plus and should not assign any undue responsibility to the holder but in any serious enough accident a record of the holder being present will go into the license record and at the very least he may have to defend his actions for that record.
You need to contact the USCG national maritime center. They are the authority and it will be their decision.
