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Foreign Corporation Yacht Charter

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by cesarravan, Jan 23, 2012.

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  1. cesarravan

    cesarravan New Member

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    Hello Everyone,

    I need some help with one of my clients. My client owns a Yacht which is under a Foreign Corporation and was built in Europe. The foreign corporation will sail its clients to the US, what are the permits needed from The Coast Guard or any other goverment department in orther to sail in the US? Any tax implications? Does my client need to open a corporation in the US in order to charter passenger here in Florida? Does The Jones Act and The Passenger Service Act apply?

    Thank you very much in advance

    Cesar
  2. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    For these type of questions you want to consult a maritime lawyer, it is too complex and there is too much at stake to rely on forum opinion

    Afaik, a foreign flagged boat can not run charters in the US.

    If the boat is imported and flagged in the US (owners of the US corporations must be US citizens) then it can be chartered in the US. Being foreign built, it can not be inspected and will be limited to 6 passengers for a regular charter or 12 under a bareboat contract
  3. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    The boat needs to have a private registry in order to obtain a cruising license from US Customs. There should be no Coast Guard restrictions as long as the vessel meets with all the US safety regulations for a private vessel (flares, lifejackets, pollution regulations, etc.).
    You cannot charter the vessel in the traditional sense, but you may offer it for bareboat (demise) charters.
  4. cesarravan

    cesarravan New Member

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    thank you very much Ken, Pascal and Capt. Mike.

    This will help!!

    CR
  5. K1W1

    K1W1 Senior Member

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  6. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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