Birdsnest
Well-Known Member
60 tonne ticket and insured? i am working on this so i can tuner guide..
It looks like this thread needs to be started.finally someone has said it...
It's illegal to guide on the west coast if you are further than 25 miles from any point of land, unless you have a 60 ton licence and proper insurance, plus all the normal TC stuff.
It's absolutely insane that all these guy's think this is a game and they are just gonna start running charters 40-60 miles offshore....with clients.
Tuna fishing is serious business and if something goes wrong....you had better be prepared for everything....
I get a little tired listening to some of the west coast guides/lodges telling and advertising tuna trips when they really don't have any understanding of the elements...
I'm not saying everyone...and yes...their are some real professionals out there...I'm just saying that people really need to understand what they are getting into with a fishery like this....
I am fairly familiar with the "elements" involved with the tuna fishing and this 25 mile limitation for svop operators has caught me off guard. Not that I am guiding tuna but I do guide occasionally and certainly interested in having the "discussion". As a commercial operator for 20 some years now I have always done my best to be 100% compliant including getting "C" numbers and the appropriate operating certification. I must say that it if frustrating to see all the guiding that takes place by individuals that do not carry proper registration or insurance. Having said that it is even more frustrating that the amount of enforcement is pretty much dismal. Another disappointment is even insurance companies selling this insurance are not aware of this restriction. So ya its been said now and I hope to see a constructive discussion. I am wondering what some of the professional guide associations/certification agencys have to say about this.
So what makes a 60 ton ticket holder more qualified to be out there?