Passenger for Hire Vessel (Boat Rides) Requirements and Steps to Become a Guide
It is paramount to the Roambler Mission to make it possible for everyone in Pennsylvania to have access to the ability to experience our waterways from a boat. With all of the mountain views and majestic beauty that this experience provides. Unfortunately, the opportunity to experience our waters is the most limited of all. We're trying to change that. List your Boating Experience on the Roambler Platform and provide the opportunity of experiencing our waterways to all who wish to experience them. Listing your experience on Roambler is a great way to accept online bookings, find customers, and earn money working for yourself by sharing your love of the water with others. If you are thinking about earning money from your boat, there is no better time than now. Start working for yourself as a Host with a listing on the Roambler Platform.
Regulations apply to Vessels carrying 6 OR MORE passengers.
Vessels carrying UNDER 6 passengers are exempt from Guide Permitting and Regulation of a ‘for hire vessel’ in Pennsylvania.
*U.S.C.G. MCC Credentials apply ONLY if you are on Federal Waters- listed at the end of the page*
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission requires all Passenger for Hire Vessels who carry 6 or more passengers to be permitted by law. Vessels who carry under 6 passengers for hire are exempt from all Guide Regulations under Pennsylvania law. Roambler requires all passenger for hire vessels who carry 6 or more passengers for hire to obtain the proper permits from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission before listing a Boat Tour on the Roambler Platform, and to share a copy of their permit via the document verification on their profile. We do not share this document with anyone. Roambler requires all Hosts who offer boat rides to under 6 people to obtain a boater safety certificate and share a copy or photo of their certificate through the document verification on their profile and listing. We do not share this document with anyone.
Steps to Become a Passenger for Hire Vessel who carries 6 or more Passengers-via The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
1.Take and pass a Boating Safety Education Course to obtain your Certificate
2.Become CPR/First Aid Certified
3.Provide proof of Insurance with a desired minimum coverage
4.The Vessel must be inspected annually
5.Pass a Dry dock examination by a Marine Surveyor
6.Obtain your Boat operators license (good for 5 years)
7.Pass a Preliminary physical examination
8.Obtain Boat Registration
9.Provide U.S.C.G MCC Credentials ONLY if you are operating in Federal Waters.*
10.Submit your Application for inspection to PFBC
11.Include Vessel Inspection checkoff list
12.Include vessel Characteristic Record
13.After you obtain your Guide Permit you are ready to list your OVER 6 passenger boat tour Experience on the Roambler Platform.
*FEDERAL WATERS ARE AS FOLLOWS: DELAWARE RIVER- UP TO TRENTON, SCHUYLKILL RIVER- UP TO FAIRMONT DAM, ALLEGHENY RIVER, MONAGAHELA RIVER, YOUGHIOGHENY RESEVOIR, LAKE ERIE, OHIO RIVER, SHENANGO RIVER, SHENANGO RESERVOIR.
Roambler requires all Passenger for Hire 'Hosts' to follow all regulations and laws that govern boating and boating safety in the State of Pennsylvania. Become familiar with the Boating Laws and Safety Regulations before Listing your Boating Experience on the Roambler Platform.