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Title: Annual Boat Operating Permit
Alternate Title:
Description: A boat-for-hire is any vessel navigating inland waters of Minnesota that is propelled by machinery or sails and is carrying more than six passengers for hire. Boat means any vessel navigating inland waters of the state that is propelled by machinery or sails, is carrying passengers for hire, and is 21 feet or more in length. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI)
Subject: Watercraft
Creation Date: 9/11/2008 2:10:45 PM
Modification Date: 8/16/2024 7:23:12 AM
Agency Name: Labor and Industry (DLI), Minnesota Department of
Agency URL: http://www.dli.mn.gov
Agency Description: The agency oversees the state's programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, dual-training (PIPELINE Program), occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers' compensation and youth skills training programs. The Office of Combative Sports, within the Department of Labor & Industry, ensures Minnesota's combative sporting events are conducted in a manner that minimizes injuries and ensures fair competition.
Agency Phone: 651-284-5005
Agency Fax: Agency URL: http://www.dli.mn.gov
Agency Address:
443 Lafayette Road N.

St. Paul
MN 55155

Division Name: Construction Codes and Licensing Division (CCLD)
Division URL: http://www.dli.mn.gov/about-department/our-areas-service/construction-codes-and-licensing
Division Description:
Division Phone: Division Fax: Division URL: http://www.dli.mn.gov/about-department/our-areas-service/construction-codes-and-licensing
Unit Name: Boats for Hire
Unit URL:
Unit Description:
Unit Phone: 651-284-5544
Unit Fax: Contact person(s): dli.license@state.mn.us
Unit URL:
Audience: Application URL: https://www.dli.mn.gov/ims
Renewal URL: https://www.dli.mn.gov/ims
Versa URL:
Requirements:

Review Requirements for Operating Boats-For-Hire

A boat-for-hire is any vessel navigating inland waters of Minnesota that is propelled by machinery or sails and is carrying more than six passengers for hire. 

Needed permits and inspections

A permit to carry passengers for hire is issued to a boat that satisfies Minnesota's inspection requirements. All boats-for-hire must have an annual safety inspection, while the vessel is in the water, prior to carrying passengers for hire (Minn. Rules 5225.6140).

Boats constructed with wooden hulls must have a dry dock inspection annually.  

Boats with composite or metal hulls must have a dry dock inspection every three years (Minn. Rules 5225.6140). 

Vessels operating with a current inspection certificate issued by the United States Coast Guard are exempt from the state inspection requirements. 

Who can operate boats-for-hire 

Any individual who has a current boat master's license issued by DLI. The only exception is when the individual operating the boat-for-hire has a valid, current Charter Boat Captain's license issued by the United States Coast Guard.


Rules: 5225.6000 - .7200

Statutes: 326B.94

Forms:
Fees:

Safety inspections, fees and additional information

New in 2021:  Boat owners will be assessed the $200 annual operating and safety inspection fee on April 1. If your email address is on file, you will be notified that the fee is due along with instructions about how to make a payment online. If not paid within 10 days, an invoice will be mailed to you. Completing an application for the annual operating permit is only required if you have a NEW boat. Once payment is made, contact your inspector to request an inspection.

Instructions for online payment of annual operating and safety inspection fee

Navigation and Inspection Guide for Commercial Vessels

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources boating guide

U.S. Coast Guard CFR Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters

U.S. Coast Guard CFR, Title 46, Chapter 1, Subchapter T (Small Passenger Vessels)


Period of Issuance:
Length of Determination: All requests must be received in our office a minimum of 60 days prior to being inspected.
Other Info:
Activity: Motor Vehicle
Boats
Boats Carrying Passengers for Hire
License Detail URL:

Requirements for Operating Boats-for-Hire

License and Registration Lookup

Payment Center

Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry (DLI)

     


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