Connecticut charter captain requirements
Quick answer
What license do I need to run a charter in Connecticut?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus Connecticut's $315 Party/Charter Vessel Registration from DEEP, required separately for each boat you operate for hire. Any federal-water permit (Greater Atlantic or HMS) adds 48-hour eVTR reporting on top of the state registration.
| Layer | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Federal credential | USCG captain's license (OUPV six-pack or Master 25 to 100 Ton), required for all for-hire carriage of passengers |
| State license | Party/Charter Vessel Registration, one per vessel operated for hire |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the Connecticut DMV, or document it federally through the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center |
| Federal fishery permit | Greater Atlantic charter/party permit for regulated species and/or the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat plus Angling permit for tuna, shark, or billfish |
| Reporting duty | Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) within 48 hours of completing a trip for any federally permitted trip, regardless of species or waters fished |
| Layer | What you need | Who it applies to | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal credential | USCG captain's license (OUPV six-pack or Master 25 to 100 Ton), required for all for-hire carriage of passengers | Every operator taking paying passengers, regardless of species or water | 46 CFR / National Maritime Center (read 2026-07-22) |
| State license | Party/Charter Vessel Registration, one per vessel operated for hire | Any operator taking passengers for a fee to fish Connecticut waters or landing catch at a CT port | CT DEEP Fishing Vessel Permit Application (read 2026-07-28) |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the Connecticut DMV, or document it federally through the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center | Any vessel operated in Connecticut that is not otherwise USCG-documented | Connecticut DMV, vessel registration (read 2026-07-28) |
| Federal fishery permit | Greater Atlantic charter/party permit for regulated species and/or the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat plus Angling permit for tuna, shark, or billfish | For-hire operators taking anglers for these species in federal waters | NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic charter/party permits (read 2026-07-28) |
| Reporting duty | Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) within 48 hours of completing a trip for any federally permitted trip, regardless of species or waters fished | Any operator holding a Greater Atlantic or Atlantic HMS for-hire permit | NOAA Fisheries Vessel Trip Reporting, Greater Atlantic Region (read 2026-07-28) |
Read the full regional guide: The Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit
Connecticut charter license, in detail
Connecticut requires a Party/Charter Vessel Registration to operate a party or charter boat, or any for-hire recreational vessel, taking marine species in Connecticut waters or landing them at Connecticut ports, regardless of where the fish were caught. A separate registration is required for each vessel operated for hire.
CT DEEP Fishing Vessel Permit Application (Party/Charter Vessel Registration) (read 2026-07-28)
State vs federal water boundary
Connecticut state waters extend about 3 nautical miles from shore under the Submerged Lands Act (Long Island Sound boundaries with New York are set separately by compact); federal waters begin beyond the 3-mile line.
Submerged Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1301 and 1312 (read 2026-07-28)
Connecticut charter FAQ
What license do I need to run a charter boat in Connecticut?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus a Connecticut DEEP Party/Charter Vessel Registration, currently $315, purchased separately for each vessel you run for hire. Federal-water species add their own NOAA permit and eVTR reporting.
Does Connecticut charge per vessel or per captain for its charter registration?
Per vessel. DEEP's Party/Charter Vessel Registration attaches to the boat, so if you run more than one for-hire vessel you register each one separately, on top of holding the federal USCG captain's license yourself.