FAQ
General
How can I go boating with more than six people?
Charter a bareboat with enough capacity and hire your own crew if required - read the bareboat information below!
Charter a T-boat after you check its COI and the crews qualification - read the T-boat information below!
Charter a Party Boat on a Texas lake - read the Party Boat information below!
Rules and Regulations
Simplified equipment list for recreational boaters in Texas state waters
Lifejackets readily accessible for each person
Children under 13 must wear a lifejacket on vessels under 26 feet while underway
Throwable PFD immediately available
Engine cut-off switch
Whistle or horn
At least one all around light from sunset to sunrise
Flares/flag/flashlight
Fire extinguishers
Born after Sep 1, 1993: photo ID & boater ID card when operating sailboat over 14 feet or motorboat with more than 15 hp
Simplified equipment list for recreational boaters in Federal waters
Lifejackets readily accessible for each person
Children under 13 must wear a lifejacket
Throwable PFD immediately available
Flares/flag/flashlight
Fire extinguishers
What is a recreational vessel?
A recreational vessel is operated primarily for pressure; or leased/rented/chartered to another for his/her pleasure
There can be no passengers-for-hire on a recreational vessel.
Passengers can share direct costs of the trip such as fuel/food/drinks equally among all onboard. They cannot pay or tip the owner/operator any amount above the actual direct cost. The trip cannot be advertised.
The maximum number of people onboard is limited to the number listed on the capacity plate
View recreational vessel definitions in Title 20 Chapter VIWhat is a bareboat charter?
Under a valid bareboat charter, the charterer has complete command, control, and possesion of the vessel as if it were his or her own.
The charterer is responsible for the seaworthiness of the vessel for his employees, passengers, and guests.
The charterer may hire a master of his choosing to operate the vessel. The vessel owner is not allowed to specify the master and can also not act as master.
There can be no passengers-for-hire on a bareboat charter of a recreational vessel.
The maximum number of people onboard is limited to the number listed on the capacity plate
The three R's of bareboat charteringWhat is an UPV?
An UPV is an Uninspected Passenger Vessel
UPVs are typically less than 100 GT and are allowed to take up to six paying passengers. Verify that the operator has at least an OUPV license, aka a six-pack
UPVs over 5 GT must have a Certificate of Documentation (COD) with an endorsement for coastwise trade
Do not try to pass of additional passengers as crew: USCG will ask for evidence of employment, payment, training, drug test, and essential duties onboard
USCG Requirements for UPVs 2016COD with recreational endorsement only does not allow passangers for hire
What is a T-boat?
T-boat is mariner's slang for an USCG inspected Small (under 100 GT) Passenger Vessel
T-boats can be chartered with crew and take more than six passangers. Check the maximum number of allowed passengers as well as required crew are listed using the vessel's Certificate of Inspection (COI). Verify the crew qualifications.
Learn about requirements for T-boats in Title 46 Chapter IWhat is a Party Boat?
A Party Boat is the official Texas Parks and Wildlife designation for a motorboat longer than 30 feet which is allowed to carry more than six passengers on inland waters
The operator must have a TPWD Party Boat Operator license or at least an USCG OUPV license.
Party Boats must be inspected annually by TPWD. This is only allowed on Texas lakes and reservoirs where USCG has no authority.
Party Boat requirements