North Carolina Boater's Be Aware

[avb3]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

Avb3, I was only joking. Sorry but I sent that one from my tablet and am somehow unable - or unknowing of - how to add a smiley face.

I actually admit to having Canadian friends, one of whom is an excellent sailor/racer who winters here (central florida) and summers in Toronto. Its a privilege to be invited to crew for him when he races here....

No problem. Sarcastic joking doesn't always translate online. BTW, I pay almost twice what my other condo owners do in property tax as I don't qualify for the Floridian resident ad volerum discount. And of course, I can't vote in local elections not being a US citizen.

Guess I was being a bit sensitive, as I DO contribute to infrastructure etc.



Sent from my Nexus 5 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jolly Roger]

[QUOTE=cheoah;1856621]Ya man, I deleted some, fire away. Feel free to make a post on the topic too, lots of experience on the forum here in the pamlico.

Still getting this message.

cheoah has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space.

[Hank Kivett]

Here is the latest as I know it on the new proposed NC Boaters Fee, presently being considered in the NC House. It was removed from the house bill and sent back to committee to review and compromises. Now that doesn't mean its a done deal so we must continue to keep the pressure on our respective elect officials and explain to them just how stupid it really is. Now this only applies to NC residents who have boats in the counties adjacent to the sounds or inlets and to recreational boats only...fishing and or commercial boats are exempt. BoatUS has compiled draft emails or letter that you can use to send to your rep or senators so go there fill out the few lines required and send it.

[Captain Bill]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

When reading the description of the vessels that are subject to the fee on page 7, notice that engaged in fishing is not a factor. The fee is applied to vessels over 24 feet that are "operated" in the coastal fishing waters of North Carolina.

Note that section 1 refers to G.S. 75a-4. There is a list of exemptions from the numbering requirement. These include foreign vessels and vessels registered in other states in NC for less than 90 days.

section 2 nails you if you are fishing. Except it would seem foreign vessels as they are not federally documented or registered in other states. NC does require a coastal fishing license, so if you fish from your 24ft+ boat you get nailed.


(b) Coastal Waterways User Identification Number Required. – All of the following
7 vessels are required to be numbered with a Coastal Waterways User Identification Number
8 issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission:
9 (1) A vessel required to be numbered pursuant to G.S. 75A-4 that is 24 feet or
10 more in length and that is operated in the coastal fishing waters of the State.
11 (2) A vessel that (i) is numbered in accordance with applicable federal law or in
12 accordance with a federally approved numbering system of another state, (ii)
13 is 24 feet or more in length, and (iii) is used to engage in commercial or
14 recreational fishing in the coastal fishing waters of the State under any of the
15 following fishing licenses:
16 a. A Standard Commercial Fishing License issued pursuant to
17 G.S. 113-168.2.
18 b. A Retired Standard Commercial Fishing License issued pursuant to
19 G.S. 113-168.3.
20 c. A Shellfish License issued pursuant to G.S. 113-169.2.
21 d. A Recreational Commercial Gear License issued pursuant to
22 G.S. 113-173.
23 e. A Coastal Recreational Fishing License issued pursuant to
24 G.S. 113-174.2 or G.S. 113-351.
25 f. A For-Hire License issued pursuant to G.S. 113-174.3.

[erikdapirate]

Here is the link to Boat US Auto Form:

BoatUS Government Affairs - NC Boaters Alert - New $72-$1300 Annual Coastal Boat Fee Proposed

[redsky49]

Yesterday's response from my State Representative:


Representative Speciale does not support these increased fees on boaters. Yesterday, the House did not concur with the Senate changes to the budget so conferees will be assigned and the negotiations will begin.

Thank you for your comments.


Hazel Speciale
Legislative Assistant
Representative Michael Speciale
Rm 1008 – Legislative Bldg
16 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 733-5853
specialela@ncleg.net

The takeaway I get is that we should keep the pressure on or we will lose this issue.

[Hank Kivett]

Yes its most important we keep the pressure on. By sending it back to committee that means they did not drop it but are going to refine it. This fight is far from over...It would be nice to know who is on that committee and if anyone can obtain that please do.