Foreign-built pleasure boat to commercial fishing?

[JCO2024]

Foreign-built 40' pleasure boat now in WA State - would like to turn it into near-shore commercial fishing boat. Is it possible? Where to find info?

 

[twistedtree]

Normally No. it has to be US built for commercial fishing endorsement. But there might be an exemption process. Check with the Coast Guard Documentation Center, and be sure is the actual coast guard people, not one of the “service” companies that likes to masquerade as the USCG and charge extra fees. USCG.mil

 

[JCO2024]

Normally No. it has to be US built for commercial fishing endorsement. But there might be an exemption process. Check with the Coast Guard Documentation Center, and be sure is the actual coast guard people, not one of the “service” companies that likes to masquerade as the USCG and charge extra fees. USCG.mil

Thank you!

 

[Bmarler]

Hmm, I didn’t know about that. When did that rule happen? There were plenty of Canadian built vessels fishing in Alaska when I was younger.

 

[twistedtree]

Hmm, I didn’t know about that. When did that rule happen? There were plenty of Canadian built vessels fishing in Alaska when I was younger.

Well, you might be right. I can‘t find anything in a quick search, so might just be confusing it with coastwise trade

 

[jgwinks]

It's the Jones Act and I think it goes back to the 1930's. I know it applies to freight and passenger vessels, not sure about fishing. There is a waiver process, one of the pax vessels I ran was Canadian built and had a waiver.

 

[twistedtree]

I’m fining an AI generated thing that says the Jones act applies to commercial fishing boats too. But not something I would trust without verification.

 

[JCO2024]

Normally No. it has to be US built for commercial fishing endorsement. But there might be an exemption process. Check with the Coast Guard Documentation Center, and be sure is the actual coast guard people, not one of the “service” companies that likes to masquerade as the USCG and charge extra fees. USCG.mil

 

[JCO2024]

It's the Jones Act and I think it goes back to the 1930's. I know it applies to freight and passenger vessels, not sure about fishing. There is a waiver process, one of the pax vessels I ran was Canadian built and had a waiver.

Thank you. I'll look into wavers.

 

[JCO2024]

Thanks! These msgs have given me something to work with.

 

[Scottybob]

I'm in the same boat....lol. Im trying to buy a Canada boat to fish in Alaska. Here is what I found out, a foreign boat that is under 5 tones of rated cargo capacity is not regulated. If you can find the capacity, not the actual weight of the boat, in your paperwork that would be the best proof. Most boats that are under 26' are under 5 tones capacity. In Alaska if you register with the state and not the cost guard, you can fill in the tonnage without proof but I don't know about Washington. If it's over 5 then I don't think you can use it for commercial transport or fishing.

 

[Ka_sea_ta]

my son in law, fishes a Canadian built in Alaska, it's 38' and can pack well over 5 tons of fish. I don't remember that it was an issue to license it to fish.

 

[JCO2024]

my son in law, fishes a Canadian built in Alaska, it's 38' and can pack well over 5 tons of fish. I don't remember that it was an issue to license it to fish.

 

[JCO2024]

Thanks! Good info.

 

[Scottybob]

I think this is the law, but that if your under 5 tons of cargo your not covered. I Alaska the state will take you word for the rating of the boat, one broker said a guy whos boat was over 60' put down his boat was under 5 ton capacity and that the state wont question it. The cost guard has how to do the calculation on their web site. ​

Jones Act Requirements​

• Ships transporting cargo between two U.S. ports must be owned by U.S.-based companies, with over 75% of the ownership stake held by U.S. citizens.
• A ship's crew must consist of a majority of U.S. citizens.
• The ships must be built and registered in the U.S.5
  Congressional Research Service. "Shipping Under the Jones Act: Legislative and Regulatory Background."

 

[Scottybob]

Sorry about the bold type, the cut and past portion made all my type bold

 

[Lepke]

Canada and the US have some agreements about fishing tuna and maybe some other species in each others waters.
Otherwise commercial fishing is considered coastwise shipping and requires a US built boat or a large donation to a politician for an exemption. Some large foreign built ships and US ships built with foreign steel have been exempted with the right graft.

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

Thank you!

Under 5 gross registered tons is allowed I believe

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

Canada and the US have some agreements about fishing tuna and maybe some other species in each others waters.
Otherwise commercial fishing is considered coastwise shipping and requires a US built boat or a large donation to a politician for an exemption. Some large foreign built ships and US ships built with foreign steel have been exempted with the right graft.

Plenty of Canadian built Novi boats fishing US waters legally by staying under the 5 GRT rule.