CharterXO

Uninspected Passenger Vessel

A vessel that carries six or fewer paying passengers and is not required to hold a USCG Certificate of Inspection.

An Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) is a commercial passenger-for-hire vessel that falls under the USCG six-passenger cap. Because it carries no more than six paying passengers, it is exempt from the detailed inspection, stability-letter, and crew-certification requirements that apply to Certificated Inspected Passenger Vessels.

UPVs are the default category for small charter fishing boats, six-passenger day charters, and most bareboat vessels operating with a hired captain. The operator must still hold at least an OUPV license and maintain required safety equipment, but the vessel itself is not subject to periodic USCG hull inspections.

Adding a seventh paying passenger immediately reclassifies a trip as a "passenger vessel" operation and requires a COI on the boat.

Examples

  • A 28-foot center console carrying six fishing clients with a licensed captain.
  • A 45-foot yacht running six-guest sunset cruises with an OUPV captain.

On CharterXO

Listings under the six-passenger cap are flagged as UPV on CharterXO. The booking flow will not let customers add a seventh paying passenger.

Related Terms

COI vs. Uninspected—The regulatory distinction between inspected passenger vessels (7+ paying passengers) and uninspected vessels (up to 6).Certificate of Inspection (COI)—A USCG certificate required for passenger vessels carrying seven or more paying passengers.Six-Pack License—Informal name for the USCG OUPV license, which caps carriage at six paying passengers on an uninspected vessel.OUPV License—USCG license authorizing a captain to operate an Uninspected Passenger Vessel carrying up to six paying passengers.

References

Ready to book a charter?

CharterXO connects you directly with verified boat owners and licensed captains in Miami and South Florida.

Browse yachts