CharterXO

COI vs. Uninspected

The regulatory distinction between inspected passenger vessels (7+ paying passengers) and uninspected vessels (up to 6).

The USCG divides U.S. commercial passenger vessels into two categories based on passenger load: - Uninspected Passenger Vessels (UPV): carry up to 6 paying passengers. No vessel COI required. Captain needs at least an OUPV. - Certificated Inspected Passenger Vessels (COI): carry 7 or more paying passengers. The vessel must hold a current Certificate of Inspection. Captain must hold a Master's license of appropriate tonnage and route.

The seven-passenger threshold drives most structural decisions in the charter industry: a six-pack vessel has far lower regulatory overhead and typically runs at the same price point as a mid-sized inspected vessel would demand. Moving from six to seven passengers is therefore a discrete jump in operating cost, not a smooth one.

Understanding this distinction is critical for owners planning a charter business, captains choosing which license to pursue, and customers deciding whether to book a six-pack day trip or an inspected-passenger yacht for a larger group.

Examples

  • A 45-foot yacht with an OUPV captain can legally carry six paying passengers without a COI.
  • The same yacht carrying seven paying passengers without a COI would be violating federal law.

On CharterXO

CharterXO enforces the six-passenger cap on UPV listings and requires a valid COI before a listing can accept seven-plus bookings.

Related Terms

Certificate of Inspection (COI)—A USCG certificate required for passenger vessels carrying seven or more paying passengers.Uninspected Passenger Vessel—A vessel that carries six or fewer paying passengers and is not required to hold a USCG Certificate of Inspection.Six-Pack License—Informal name for the USCG OUPV license, which caps carriage at six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel.Masters License—A tiered USCG license authorizing a captain to operate an inspected passenger vessel, sized by vessel tonnage.

References

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