Is this the green light for Party Charter boats to get back in action ?

[Wired113]

Gerry says : WOAH there not so fast..... This is a proposal the RFA and United Boatsmen of NJ sent to the Coast Guard as some suggested guidelines. We're not open up yet but lots of great people working behind the scenes to try and set the stage for it.




For Coast Guard inspected vessels
Compiled using CDC guidelines.:
Effective May 12, 2020, until adjusted. This proposal will allow a limited
opening of the recreational fishing industry while promoting and assuring
responsible outdoor activity, limited help to a devastated industry, while
practicing address corona virus concerns.
* Significant Limit on the amount of passengers- Using a vessel’s U.S.
Coast Guard issued Certificate of Inspection (COI) documented length, X 2
plus beam Divided by 6' (examples-a U.S. Coast Guard certified 65-foot
vessel would be limited to a maximum of 25 passengers and 2 crew,
exclusive of Captain- 65’ divided by 6, X 2 plus 22 average feet for the
stern, less one to account for crew*; 100-foot vessel would be limited to
carrying no more than 36 passengers-100 times 2, plus 24 average feet for
the stern, while accounting for 2 crew members).
*Customers names, addresses and telephone number shall be retained by
vessel.
*For every 2 crew members (exclusive of the captain, who primarily stays in
the wheelhouse/pilot house), one less passenger would be permitted.
Please see above examples.
Cleaning/disinfecting protocol carried out by crew under the supervision of
licensed captain who will maintain an independent log of same.
Crew monitored for symptoms daily, and must wear gloves and “face gear”
(masks or fishing related gear such as “gaiters” or other face covering
gear).
Mandate use of “face gear” and gloves by customers and crew. No
admission onto boat without face gear and gloves.
Each customer will be questioned regarding the symptoms of the Covid-19
virus. A person(s) with known symptoms would not be granted admission
on the vessel. Crew members with symptoms would not be permitted on
board and would be directed to immediately consult with health care
providers.
No fishing equipment may be shared. Nets or gaffs may be handled only by
crew members,
Where possible, use touchless payment. Where not possible, vessel shall
have available, and use, sanitizer after each transaction.
Assure frequent cleaning of “high touch” surfaces, with assigned crew
member(s) designated for the task while logging same.
Lavatories shall be well stocked with hand washing supplies.
Signage listing the symptoms of Covid 19 shall be posted on-board every
vessel.
For smaller vessel (“6-packs”-Uninspected)
The criteria above would be implemented but maximum of 5 persons to
account for crew (unless all are family).

[shrimpman steve]

Where did this come from?

[TerriMc223]

Good question Shrimpy. Is it something sent out by the Coast Guard or not?
In any case, it does make some attempt to permit limited operation of for hire party and charter boats .

[Capt. Lou]

Can only be guidelines , states are in charge according to Feds ! Lotsa ???'s !

[shrimpman steve]

I run an inspected vessel so I wonder if this applies to me or only fishing.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by Wired113

For Coast Guard inspected vessels
Compiled using CDC guidelines.:
Effective May 12, 2020, until adjusted. This proposal will allow a limited
opening of the recreational fishing industry while promoting and assuring
responsible outdoor activity, limited help to a devastated industry, while
practicing address corona virus concerns.
* Significant Limit on the amount of passengers- Using a vessel’s U.S.
Coast Guard issued Certificate of Inspection (COI) documented length, X 2
plus beam Divided by 6' (examples-a U.S. Coast Guard certified 65-foot
vessel would be limited to a maximum of 25 passengers and 2 crew,
exclusive of Captain- 65’ divided by 6, X 2 plus 22 average feet for the
stern, less one to account for crew*; 100-foot vessel would be limited to
carrying no more than 36 passengers-100 times 2, plus 24 average feet for
the stern, while accounting for 2 crew members).
*Customers names, addresses and telephone number shall be retained by
vessel.
*For every 2 crew members (exclusive of the captain, who primarily stays in
the wheelhouse/pilot house), one less passenger would be permitted.
Please see above examples.
Cleaning/disinfecting protocol carried out by crew under the supervision of
licensed captain who will maintain an independent log of same.
Crew monitored for symptoms daily, and must wear gloves and “face gear”
(masks or fishing related gear such as “gaiters” or other face covering
gear).
Mandate use of “face gear” and gloves by customers and crew. No
admission onto boat without face gear and gloves.
Each customer will be questioned regarding the symptoms of the Covid-19
virus. A person(s) with known symptoms would not be granted admission
on the vessel. Crew members with symptoms would not be permitted on
board and would be directed to immediately consult with health care
providers.
No fishing equipment may be shared. Nets or gaffs may be handled only by
crew members,
Where possible, use touchless payment. Where not possible, vessel shall
have available, and use, sanitizer after each transaction.
Assure frequent cleaning of “high touch” surfaces, with assigned crew
member(s) designated for the task while logging same.
Lavatories shall be well stocked with hand washing supplies.
Signage listing the symptoms of Covid 19 shall be posted on-board every
vessel.
For smaller vessel (“6-packs”-Uninspected)
The criteria above would be implemented but maximum of 5 persons to
account for crew (unless all are family).

NO Green light yet! The above were proposed guidelines that could meet CDC requirements. These were proposed along with the letter to Gov Murphy drafted by RFA-NJ, RFA National and United Boatmen.
They are for review by NJ State in the ongoing effort to reopen for hire recreational fishing.

[shrimpman steve]

Thanks for the clarification

[AndyS]

Mandate use of “face gear” and gloves by customers and crew. No
admission onto boat without face gear and gloves.

Good one !!

[Merle31483]

Crazy times we are living in that's for sure but if that's what we have to do to get these boats back in action and the mates making money to feed their families or pay bills to keep a roof over there head well than what are we waiting for am all in

[Gerry Zagorski]

Just wanted to add some perspective here for those who might think theses guidelines are too restrictive and are attempting to Monday morning quarterback.

- If we want to get back to fishing sooner rather than later there will likely need to be strings attached so pick your poison. Stay tied to the dock until this whole thing blows over or fish sooner with some restrictions.

- Who knows what guidelines will eventually be settled on if any?

- Looks like some states that are opening up sooner like TX are saying 25% occupancy for restaurants and retail stores, later to be relaxed to 50%... If our state follows suit and we're lumped in with that, it might be OK for some inspected boats with high passenger allowance numbers but the 6 pack guys would be stuck with 1.5 or 3 people and that's not going to work

- This was an attempt to get things going sooner rather than later so rather then pick it apart, thank the RFA and United Boatsman of NJ for getting involved and trying get something done and make a sensible provision for the 6 packs.