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NACO is a premier association representing charter boat operators in the United States. Our objective is to improve the bottom line for operators and provide a strong voice in Washington, DC. We work with the Coast Guard to ensure the safety and security of the water and ports. We also advocate for regulatory changes to benefit the charter industry.
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NACO is the National Association of Charterboat Owners and Operators that was formed in 1991. Representing thousands of individuals all across the United States, our membership includes marine charters who provide fishing, sailing, diving, eco-tours, and other excursion vessels who carry passengers for hire. As the premiere Association that represents charter boat interests, our objective is to improve the professional charter boat operator's bottom line and to provide a strong voice in Washington, DC.
The Coast Guard renewed the Memorandum of Agreement with the National Association of Charterboat Operators (NACO). The purpose of this agreement is to ensure the safety and security of the water and ports of the United States where parties exchange information to promote the interest of the American public.The MOA was signed by Edward O’Brien, vice president of NACO and Rear Adm. Paul Thomas, assistant commandant for prevention policy.“We appreciate this because nobody knows the local waters better than the charterboat operators,” said Thomas. “When it comes to the ‘See Something Say Something’ initiative and keeping an eye on our waterways, NACO is the organization for the Coast Guard to partner with.”
President Zales addresses the crowd at the fishermen rally in Washington, DC
NACO's Capt. Bob Zales, Capt. Tom Becker, and Susan Mason-Yadav in collaboration with our friends from California, Capt. Roger Thomas of Golden Gate Fisherman's Association and Sportfishing Association of California's Ken Franke and AlaynaSiddall put some boots to the ground to visit with Senator Wicker in his Gulfport office this week, It's good to know that we have people like Senator Wicker in office taking his time to understand how certain regulations impact the Charter Industry.
What NACO is currently working on …. • Securing a permanent exemption from the EPA’s Incidental Vessel Discharge act • Working with the USCG on ironing out the Random Drug Program requirement s regarding Employee/Employer responsibility • Dealing with the Uber issue -
NACO Accomplishments 2016 NACO IS SUCCESSFUL IN WORKING WITH CONGRESS TO SAVE SMALL PASSENGER VESSEL OWNERS DOLLARS AND REGULATORY BURDENS In June of 2011 NACO took the lead to organize a coalition of Regional and National Passenger Vessel Associations to work with Congress to change a requirement that mandated all USCG Certified Passenger Vessels to carry out of the water survival craft. All costs are approximate and based on the maximum costs since some route requirements may require less expensive inflatable's. 25 person Inflatable fully equipped $8,000.00 Launching device $1,750.00 Yearly reinspection $2,000.00 New vessel stability test $3,000.00 Total $14,750.00
NACO Accomplishments …. 2014-2015 NACO, along with others in the industry, was successful in gaining another exemption to the Vessel Discharge Permit; which, should relate to a permanent one before the end of 3 years.NACO has been successful in working with the USCG to keep the medical issues regarding licensing reasonable allowing for less time in review and more reasonable determinations.We are still working on the USCG inflatable life raft issue and hope to have that resolved this next year.As an active partner we are actively working with the National Ocean Policy Coalition to keep National Ocean Policy impacts at a minimum for our industry.
NACO Accomplishments …. • Over the years… • Vessel General Permit Exemption for Uninspected Charter Boats • We succeeded in getting all 6-pack and less charter boats exempted from the Vessel General Permit (VGP), which EPA and the USCG will be requiring for all boats starting in 2013. This would have required you to keep another permit on your boat and quarterly inspections. • TWIC Changes • We worked diligently to save you the $130 TWIC fee and the requirement to have them. The USCG announced they would allow mariners WITHOUT A VALID TWIC who operate on board vessels that do not have a security plan to acquire and renew a MMC. These vessels include: • Uninspected passenger vessels of less than 100 GRT • Vessels inspected under subchapter T of Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations, except those on international voyages • Saving you time and money.
NACO Accomplishments …. • Improved Turnaround Time for License Renewal • We worked with USCG Headquarters to improve the turnaround time for renewing your captain’s license, if you had no medical issues. Previously it was taking up to 6 months to get your license; we have reports from members where it has only taken 10 days now! • National Ocean Policy • We are currently working on The National Ocean Policy (Presidential order) to inform Congress of the ways it will negatively impact our industry and requesting them to hold oversight hearings • Coast Guard Inspection Fee Cap • NACO took the lead for the maritime industry and successfully lobbied to obtain a cap on Coast Guard inspection user fees. This win saved the charter boat industry an estimated $23 million over ten years.
NACO Accomplishments …. • EPIRB Exemption • NACO successfully lobbied the U.S. Coast Guard to withdraw the Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) requirement for un-inspected vessels. The EPIRB rule would have cost charter boat operators between $1,350 and $1,500 to equip each of their vessels. • Subchapter T Exemption • NACO succeeded in exempting charter boat operators who carry more than six passengers from certain provisions of the Subchapter T regulation, which would have imposed a host of costly new equipment rules on small inspected vessels, including inappropriate inflatable survival crafts, time consuming crew and passenger lists and costly annual dry docking. It is estimated that NACO's success saved charter boat operators over $3,000 per vessel. • PFD Requirements • NACO worked to clarify that Personal Floatation Device (PFD) regulations will not apply to charter boat operators. Members had contacted NACO regarding a widespread yet inaccurate media campaign asserting that commercial charter boat passengers would have to wear PFD's. NACO worked with the U.S. Coast Guard to guarantee that the rule would affect only recreational vessels and not charter boats.
NACO Accomplishments …. • STCW Exemption • NACO succeeded in exempting the charter boat industry from having to comply with the costly rule of Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for seafarers (STCW) by convincing the U.S. Coast Guard that the requirement was inappropriate for charter boat operators. This win saves charter boat operators up to $500 each. • FCC Licensing Fee Elimination • NACO succeeded in eliminating the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) licensing fees for un-inspected vessel operators. The fees were first reduced from $115 to $75, and then eliminated altogether. • Jones Act • NACO succeeded at having the procedure simplified when charter boat operators need a waiver of the "Jones Act" rules. NACO worked to pass legislation, which creates an administrative program for vessels of foreign hulls to apply for a documentation waiver. Now, the industry will no longer have to go to Congress to obtain a waiver.
NACO Accomplishments …. • Sinker Ban Blocked • NACO convinced Congress to pass an amendment that would block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from seeking to ban the sale and use of lead, zinc or brass fishing lures and sinkers. • Home Office Tax Deduction • Through NACO's efforts, most charter boat operators are now allowed to deduct the cost of an office at their home. Previously, charter boat operators could not deduct the cost of a home office even if that was the location where they made calls for fishing trips and stored fishing gear and records because a charter boat operator's main place of business was considered on the water. Now, the cost of a home office is deductible if the office is used exclusively for key managerial functions such as billing, marketing, bookings, etc. and there is no other place to perform such duties.
The Commandant of the United Stated Coast Guard takes great pleasure in presenting the Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award to Captain Edward A. O'Brien. As the Vice-President of the National Association of Charterboat Operators and President of the Maryland Charterboat Association, Capt. Ed O'Brien's leadership and relentless dedication to improving both charterboat operations and the licensing and certification processes that apply to charterboat captains, along with his steadfast efforts to maintain open, candid dialog with regulators, not only improved overall safety, but saved countless hours by averting bureaucratic, political mis-steps, saving significant taxpayers dollars. Award presented to Capt. Ed O'Brien on behalf of the Commandant by Assistant Commandant, Rear-Admiral, Paul Thomas
NACO’s membership includes Charter Captains from Alaska down to Hawaii across to Florida and up to Maine offering for-hire charter trips to include diving, excursions, sailing, dinner cruises, burials at sea, fishing, sight-seeing and eco-tours. If you take passengers out on the water we represent you.
NACO Members Only Benefits/Discount Programs • NACO has arranged for major cost savings benefits through the following group programs from insurance providers, retailers, marketing companies and a drug consortium. Current Membership in NACO is required and validated. • Charter Lakes Marine Insurance: Discounted Charter Boat Insurance for NACO Members. Exclusive Group Vessel Hull and Liability Insurance • The Charterboat Consortium: NACO's Group Discount Drug Consortium The Charterboat Consortium is an affordable random drug testing program for NACO’s maritime employers and their employees. • Port Supply (The Wholesale Division of West Marine)Regular NACO members are eligible to apply for a Port Supply wholesale account.
NACO Members Only Benefits/Discount Programs • Grizzly Coolers : NACO Members enjoy an ample discount on all grizzly products; Marine coolers etc. • EZ Anchors: Quality Anchoring Products, They were Specifically Designed for Charter Boat Owners & Captains.Other Discount Providers include: • Northeast Merchant Systems, Evergreen Printing, MMIC Insurance Health Insurance , MOPS Marine License Insurance, KaSondra Website Design, Hold-the-Spot, Captains Gear, Cardiac Science, • NACO News Report The Quarterly Email News Report and the weekly and/or monthly NACO Friday Alerts keeps members informed and educated on crucial issues affecting the industry. • Annual MeetingNACO members join together to share ideas and obtain valuable information on topics such as insurance, maritime law, Coast Guard regulations, Tax issues, fishery issues, Marine Protected Areas and Magnuson/Stevens Act reauthorization.
NACO Quarterly Newsletter – Email version- includes stories from around the nation on fishery management, Members trips and pictures, interesting articles, tips and tricks used by others in the industry, Congressional Updates, Calls to action, and results of our efforts.
Your NACO Administrative Director Susan Mason-Yadav Susan Mason-Yadav and her team handle the day to day operations of the NACO office and are here to assist you with your membership needs and questions you may have, including helping you get what you need to complete your USCG license renewal process, industry questions, and member discount programs.
