New York charter captain requirements
Quick answer
What license do I need to run a charter in New York?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus New York's $250 annual Marine District Party and Charter Boat License from DEC, tied to your specific vessel. If you carry more than 6 passengers you also need a USCG Certificate of Inspection, and any federal-water permit (Greater Atlantic or HMS) requires 48-hour eVTR reporting plus a monthly state trip report.
| 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 | Marine District Party and Charter Boat License, binding the operator to a specific registered vessel; over 6 passengers also needs a USCG Certificate of Inspection |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the New York 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 | Monthly Vessel Trip Reports to DEC or NMFS as a state license condition, plus federal electronic Vessel Trip Reports (eVTR) within 48 hours of each trip for any federally permitted species |
| 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 | Marine District Party and Charter Boat License, binding the operator to a specific registered vessel; over 6 passengers also needs a USCG Certificate of Inspection | Any operator carrying recreational fishing passengers for hire in NY marine waters | NYSDEC, Marine District Party and Charter Boat License (read 2026-07-28) |
| Vessel registration | Register the vessel with the New York DMV, or document it federally through the USCG National Vessel Documentation Center | Any vessel operated in New York that is not otherwise USCG-documented | New York DMV, boat 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 | Monthly Vessel Trip Reports to DEC or NMFS as a state license condition, plus federal electronic Vessel Trip Reports (eVTR) within 48 hours of each trip for any federally permitted species | Every state license holder for the monthly VTR; federal permit holders additionally for eVTR | NYSDEC, Marine District Party and Charter Boat License (read 2026-07-28) |
Read the full regional guide: The Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit
New York charter license, in detail
New York requires a Marine District Party and Charter Boat License to carry recreational fishing passengers for hire, or to land fish taken by recreational passengers, in state marine waters. The license binds the individual operator to a specific registered vessel and requires a valid USCG captain's license plus vessel state registration or USCG documentation. A vessel carrying more than 6 passengers also needs a USCG Certificate of Inspection.
NYSDEC, Marine District Party and Charter Boat License (read 2026-07-28)
State vs federal water boundary
New York state waters extend about 3 nautical miles from shore under the Submerged Lands Act; federal waters begin beyond that line.
Submerged Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1301 and 1312 (read 2026-07-28)
New York charter FAQ
What license do I need to run a charter boat in New York?
You need the federal USCG captain's license plus New York's Marine District Party and Charter Boat License from DEC, which costs $250 a year and is tied to a specific registered vessel. Carrying more than 6 passengers also requires a USCG Certificate of Inspection.
Does New York require monthly reports from charter captains?
Yes. New York's Party and Charter Boat License holders must submit monthly Vessel Trip Reports to DEC or NMFS. If you also hold a federal Greater Atlantic or HMS permit, you separately must file an electronic Vessel Trip Report within 48 hours of each trip.
Is the federal captain's license enough by itself in New York?
No. New York requires its own $250 annual Party and Charter Boat License on top of the federal credential, plus vessel registration and, for federal-water fishing, the matching NOAA permit with its own reporting duty.