How does a yacht charter work? This is a question we get quite often, and a valid one! 

First, let's talk about regulations and what you need to know before confirming any charter. If you have more than 6 people and the charter company is providing a captain, the vessel must be USCG Inspected/Certificated. This is not the same as a courtesy inspection by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. If the vessel is not USCG Inspected/Certificated and the charter company tells you that it's not needed because the boat can carry up to 12 people, it's important to know that the company is offering you a bareboat (also called demise) charter. 

So what is a bareboat charter? A bareboat charter means that you, the charter, are taking responsibility of the vessel for the duration of the charter and you must hire your own crew and pay for the fuel. Should something happen to the vessel or one of the passengers, you are legally and financially responsible. If a charter company offers you a bareboat charter but states that you must use one of their captains, that is not a bareboat charter. Additionally, federal regulations state that you should not be "profiting" from your guests in the form of money or gifts. 

What is the difference between a USCG Inspected/Certificated vessel and one that is not? 

• USCG Certificated Small Passenger and Commercial Vessels are regularly inspected by the Coast Guard to ensure all safety equipment and training of the Captain and crew are monitored. The design of the boat itself is maximized for safety and stability and must pass several inspections.
• What happens during the inspections? Throughout the year, the crew trains for various situations and must demonstrate their abilities to the Coast Guard during the yearly inspection. At this time, the Coast Guard also inspects the vessel systems (engine, fire suppression, navigation equipment, railings, etc.) and reviews cruise logs and crew documents (captains' licenses, enrollment in a drug/alcohol consortium, and a valid CPR/First Aid card). Every other year, the vessel has an out-of-water inspection to check the condition of the hull and seaworthiness of the vessel itself. 

How do I reserve my charter and what's included? 
Generally, you may reserve a charter one week to one year in advance. Because weekends are the most popular time, Saturday, Friday, and Sunday are the first to book. If you have a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday, or anniversary, you may want to consider booking three months in advance. Since we only operate by private charter, you may pick the time you'd like to cruise. Occasionally, we'll have back-to-back cruises, so we may ask you to be a little flexible with your times. 

In order to guarantee the date, we'll send you a contract for electronic signature (DocuSign) and a deposit invoice for 25% of the charter amount; payments are made through Square using any major credit card. Usually, we can hold the date for two days while you review the documents and take care of the deposit. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is made, the date is yours!  

The final payment is due two weeks before the cruise date (unless it's a special event charter) and will include the charter balance, prepaid gratuity, and a security deposit. The security deposit is refunded the day after the charter as long as there has not been any damages. The specifics of this are addressed in the contract, paragraph #4. 

Your charter includes a USCG master captain, mate, fuel, bottled water, and ice. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are available upon request. 

What about food, drinks, and music? 
Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks or use one of our recommended caterers. For more information, please see our catering options page. Regarding drinks, you may bring anything you'd like! Beer must be in cans but wine and liquor bottles are fine; of course, all guests must be at least 21 years age to consume alcoholic beverages. All beverages will be set up for self-service as we are not licensed to serve. We suggest bringing your beverages chilled so that you can enjoy them right away and offer soft-sided coolers for you to use in addition to the refrigerator aboard the yacht. For music, you may Bluetooth to our system / we have six exterior speakers and one inside. 

What happens on the day of my charter and what if it rains? 
Boarding takes place 15 minutes prior to your scheduled cruise departure. If you're departing from our home dock in downtown St Pete, we'll ask that you gather your guests by the welcome area. A crew member will meet you 15-20 minutes prior to your departure time to escort you to the dock. Please visit our charter policies page for information on weather delays and cancellations.  

One last thing ... 
The Smooth C's is USCG Inspected/Certificated for up to 20 passengers plus 2 crew. We count everyone as a passenger, even infants. If you have more than 20 people, we're happy to make recommendations of other charter companies who operated inspected vessels. 

Remember ... 
The expression, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is." 

​M/Y Smooth C's underwent its annual USCG Inspection and Man Overboard Drill on July 6, as required for Small Passenger Vessels by the US Code of Federal Regulations.  

During a USCG onboard inspection, the inspector checks all vessel logs, which include safety/training, maintenance, emergency procedures, cruise/radio logs, charts, and official documents. Additionally, they verify all operators licenses, permits, first aid certifications, and compliance with an active drug consortium. The inspection also checks all PFD/life jackets/devices, fire extinguishers/fire suppression systems, bilges, thru-hull fittings, engines, generators, fuel tanks, waste systems, radio/PA, required safety lights, system alarms, and tests emergency shut-off and fire procedures. 

During the Man Overboard Rescue drill, a life jacket is thrown overboard to simulate a passenger falling off the vessel. The captain and mate must work together to safely retrieve the victim and coordinate further care. Knowing what to do when a passenger goes overboard may be the difference between life and death. After calling "Man Overboard" the mate must shout the position and distance of the victim, relative to the vessel, and request that the Coast Guard be notified. The mate then dons a PFD and tethers himself to the vessel in order to retrieve the victim. Depending on the severity of the injury, the mate will either stay with the victim on the swim platform or bring the victim up on the deck for continued care. 

The annual onboard inspection by the USCG for a vessel our size usually takes 2-3 hours. These inspections are much different than the CG Auxiliary vessel checks that recreational and charter vessels limited to 6 passengers undergo. As a reminder, any vessel carrying more than 6 passengers for hire MUST have a COI (Certificate of Inspection). Learn more: ​USCG Charter Passenger for Hire and Charter Vessel Operations >

Tampa Bay Yacht Charter, which offers private yacht charters throughout the Tampa Bay and Gulf Coast area aboard USCG Inspected and Certified vessels, has been recognized with a 2017 Certificate of Excellence from Trip Advisor. This award is based on consistently great reviews from charters guests: “An experience I will never forget", "Awesome service and vessel", and "Ultimate guest experience" are just a few of the ways guests have described their experience aboard the Smooth C's yacht. 

Captain Laura Lothridge, company president, states that it is important for people considering a yacht charter to be aware of the USCG Federal Regulations. Vessels carrying more than 6 passengers for hire must have a Certificate of Inspection (COI) in order to operate. Vessels with a COI are regularly inspected by the Coast Guard to ensure all safety equipment and training of the Captain and crew are monitored. The design of the boat itself is maximized for safety and stability and must pass annual inspections, in and out of the water. Chartering an inspected vessel ensures that passenger safety and crew training are paramount to the overall experience. 

Tampa Bay Yacht Charter is located in downtown St Petersburg and offers relocation throughout Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. We're also pleased to offer charter service to guests staying at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, Marriott Waterside Tampa, Sandpearl Resort, and the Longboat Key Club. 

The U.S. Coast Guard has reached out to marinas and event coordinators using vessels as event reception facilities during the SOFIC event in Tampa, May 15-18, 2017. If you're renting or chartering a vessel during this time (or anytime), know that "once the passenger count on a bareboat charter exceeds 12, the vessel is considered an inspected passenger vessel and is required to have a valid Coast Guard COI. The passenger limitation applies whether the vessel is moored or underway and means that vessels chartered as event reception facilities may not have more than 12 passengers on board at any time."  - USCG Sector St Petersburg letter 4/14/17​
NOTE: Tampa Bay Yacht Charter only offers charters aboard USCG Inspected small passenger vessels with a valid COI (Certificate of Inspection). We do not offer bareboat or demise charters.

Have you ever considered renting a yacht for a social or corporate event? Read these "5 Important Things to Know Before Chartering a Vessel" and it'll be smooth sailing! 

The United States Coast Guard regulates charter boat operations. Although many charter companies operate legally, there are a handful who do not. Whether they don't know the rules or choose to ignore them, we don't know; however we suspect the latter. After all, who goes into business without knowing the rules/regulations of the industry in which they operate? 

Here are 5 important things to know before chartering a vessel:

1. Vessels carrying at least one passenger for hire but no more than six passengers require at minimum, a Coast Guard credentialed operator who holds a valid endorsement as an “Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV)."
2. Vessels carrying more than six passengers with at least one passenger for hire require a Coast Guard credentialed (licensed) Master.  The vessel must also be inspected by the Coast Guard, with the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection posted in a location visible to passengers.
3. Ask the charter operator for a copy of the COI (Certificate of Inspection) for that particular vessel. This is an official document issued yearly by the USCG which states how many passengers the vessel is licensed to carry,how many crew are required, and the waters in which they may operate. 
4. A "Safety Check" is NOT the same as a COI. 
5. If the charter company cannot furnish a COI and suggests a bareboat or demise charter agreement, beware! Some operators believe this to be a "work-around" for groups of more than six (6) passengers. It's not; it's illegal and puts the charterer (you) at risk legally and financially - not to mention the safety of you and your guests may be compromised! 

​
​Illegal passenger vessels pose a number of safety risks to passengers including:

• Captain and crew may lack necessary training & experience
• Inadequate or lack of drills, exercises, or passenger safety briefings
• A lack of required pre-employment and random drug testing program for crew members
• Insufficient lifesaving or firefighting equipment
• Substandard hull construction, stability, machinery, electrical, safety railings and navigational equipment.

In addition to the noted safety concerns, illegal passenger vessel operations adversely impact the livelihood of legitimate commercial passenger vessel owners that comply with all regulatory standards to conduct such operations.  The Coast Guard will pursue enforcement action against vessel owners, operators and credentialed mariners who are found operating an illegal passenger vessel in violation of the U.S. Code and the Code of Federal Regulations.  

Operating an illegal passenger vessel often violates several regulations and statutes potentially resulting in civil penalties in excess of $35,000 depending on the severity and violation.

If you would like to check on a vessel or report illegal operations, please contact the United States Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg: 813-228-2191.