Coding a cruiser to take passengers...

CruisingIrl

I was considering coding my cruiser to take passengers on pleasure trips on the inland waterways in Ireland.

The boat is a large sports cruiser, perfectly capable boat, competent crew etc... this is not an issue.

I would never be interested in taking up to the 12 allowed, ideally only couples, up to 3 people and aim at the luxury market, but this isin't my question....

I noticed on the Dept. of Transport website: http://www.transport.ie/marine/MaritimeSafetyDirectorate/MaritimeSafety/PassengerBoats/index.asp?lang=ENG&loc=1996

There is a section:
Licensing of Passenger Boats (Exemption) Regulations 2002

These Regulations specify the class of vessels which are exempted from the requirement to have a passenger boat licence under section 14 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1992 and the safety requirements to be met in relation to each exempt vessel.


The following class of vessel is exempt:


Vessels, being open vessels of no less than 4 metres in length, carrying no more than 3 passengers on board for the purpose of angling and engaged on domestic voyages in smooth waters on canals, rivers, lakes and loughs.


I'm guessing anything a cabin is NOT an open boat? The cockpit is open (sports cruiser), but there is a cabin.

Can anyone clarify? I am going to send an e-mail to the Dept. of Transport but wondered if anyone had experience

fergal.b

Hi cruisingIrl and welcome, I can't help you much with your question but you might get some info here. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2002/en/si/0273.html

There are a few others doing trips on sport cruisers maybe you could give one of them a call http://www.luxuryyachtingireland.com/ pick one far away from where you are planning to cruise





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breghall

if you're gonna charge people to cruise on your craft, then you'll have to be licensed and insured and to carry paying customers.

CruisingIrl

fergal.b wrote: »

Hi cruisingIrl and welcome, I can't help you much with your question but you might get some info here. http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2002/en/si/0273.html

There are a few others doing trips on sport cruisers maybe you could give one of them a call http://www.luxuryyachtingireland.com/ pick one far away from where you are planning to cruise





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fergal yes I know the guys down on the Derg... they'll be well away from me so not a worry! I will get in touch with them next week

breghall wrote: »

if you're gonna charge people to cruise on your craft, then you'll have to be licensed and insured and to carry paying customers.

You are technically incorrect, see my link above! However I have found out that this is limited to an open boat with an OUTBOARD... there's the killer!

Yes a license will need to be sought, no loophole given the boat is a large sports cruiser.

Insurance is a no-brainer, however this is a totally different (and much more simple) question than the one I was asking, you're starting to veer off a little. Got anything informative to contribute?

CruisingIrl

A quick read confirms that yes, it's a P3 license i'll be needing. I have friends who have coded their boats P3... it's a pain!

Time to think over the Christmas and consider would it be worth it....

connel42

I went through the process a couple of years ago.
I would reccomend you talk to the guys in the department as they are very helpful.
If you register your interest with them by applying they will come out a view your boat and make reccomendations as to any modifications.
We ended up with a licence to carry 11 passengers and 2 crew powered by outboard.
As far as I know the situation regarding 3 passengers is for fishing guides and ghillies.

CruisingIrl

connel42 wrote: »

I went through the process a couple of years ago.
I would reccomend you talk to the guys in the department as they are very helpful.
If you register your interest with them by applying they will come out a view your boat and make reccomendations as to any modifications.
We ended up with a licence to carry 11 passengers and 2 crew powered by outboard.
As far as I know the situation regarding 3 passengers is for fishing guides and ghillies.

Thanks for replying.

Yes, the Dept. seem to be quite good, they're quick to respond to my e-mails.

After chatting a bit with a member of staff, it is a P2 licence i'd be seeking.

I'm going to send in the application form with 144euro fee and take it from there.

tin79

The open boat exemption is basically to allow ghillies take people out fishing in lake boats without needing to have a licence.