Boat Launch Permit: What You Need To Know

To launch a boat, you will need a permit or license, depending on the type of boat and where you are located. In Pennsylvania, unpowered boats like kayaks and canoes must be registered or display a launch permit to use PFBC, state park, or state forest accesses. Powered boats will need to be registered. In Indiana, motorized and non-motorized lake permits are available for watercraft operating with a gasoline or electric motor or those that are manually powered, respectively. In Seattle, a permit is required for anyone using a motorized boat launch ramp, regardless of parking location.

Pennsylvania Boat Launch Permit Requirements

Registration requirements for unpowered boats

In Pennsylvania, unpowered boats such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats, sailboats, and inflatable boats are not required to be registered unless they are used at Fish and Boat Commission sites or state parks. If you plan to use your non-motor-powered vessel at one of these locations, you have two options: register your boat or purchase a watercraft launch or mooring permit from the SCNR.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) issues boat registrations that renew every two years and expire on March 31 of the second year. The two-year registration fee is $18. A registration card and two validation decals are issued. The certificate of boat registration is your registration card and must be on board the boat during operation. The certificate also shows the boat registration number that must be displayed on the boat. The Pennsylvania registration number, issued with the original certificate of boat registration, remains with the boat as long as it is registered in Pennsylvania. It is the boat owner’s responsibility to purchase the numbers and letters to display the registration number on the boat. The registration number and validation decal are placed on the bow of the boat. No other number may be displayed on either side of the bow. These numbers may not be removed, altered, tampered with, or defaced, except by the owner or representative.

Documented vessels, kayaks, sculls, sailboards, and other low-volume boats of similar design are exempt from the display of numbers, but they must display the validation decal. Inflatable boats may carry their numbers and validation decal on boards lashed to each side of the bow. Canoes are not exempt and must display the numbers and the decal.

The PFBC permit is an alternative to the PFBC boat registration. A one-year permit costs $10, while a two-year permit is $18. An unpowered boat may have a registration or launch permit, but it is not required to have both. The PFBC does not recognize launch permits from other states.

Another option is a launch or mooring permit from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks. The Pennsylvania State Parks recognize PFBC boat registrations and launch permits.

Where to buy a permit

You can buy a launch permit online or in person. To buy online, visit Hunt Fish PA. On your first visit, you will need to create an account. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your social security number, driver's license information, passport or VISA information, and customer number. You will also need to provide some basic information about your boat, such as the make and hull identification number. Once you have an account, you can log in and purchase a permit. The cost of a one-year permit is $13.97, and a two-year permit is $23.97. After purchasing, you can print a temporary permit online, or download it to your phone, while you wait for the sticker to arrive.

To buy a permit in person, you can visit the Allegheny County Treasurer Office, or contact another Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Issuing Agent. You can find a list of authorised issuing agents by county on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat website. You will need to provide the same personal and boat information as for an online application.

Permit costs

Launch permits are for unpowered boats and allow you to use the boat launch accesses maintained by the PFBC and State Parks that have lakes or ponds. The cost of a launch permit goes towards keeping these launches in good condition.

In Pennsylvania, a one-year launch permit costs $13.97, while a two-year permit costs $23.97. The permit expires on December 31 of the year(s) for which it was issued. The official decal will be mailed to you by the PA Fish and Boat Commission.

The permit fee also includes a $1 fee collected and retained by the agent for the decal, as well as a $1 PA state shipping and handling fee.

It costs about the same to buy a launch permit or register your boat, but there are some added benefits to registering your boat. For example, every state recognizes a valid PA boat registration, and you will receive renewal reminders to keep your registration up to date. Additionally, registration helps in recovering lost or stolen boats, and it can make it easier to contact boat owners when vessels get loose.

Permit placement on the boat

In the state of Pennsylvania, boats with motors must be registered to use, but boats without motors have the option to be registered or to display a launch permit. Launch permits are for unpowered boats and allow the use of boat launch accesses maintained by the PFBC and state parks with lakes or ponds.

If you have purchased a launch permit, you will receive two identical stickers that must be displayed on your boat. The placement of these stickers depends on the type of boat you have. For canoes, the stickers should be placed near midship on opposite sides of the boat on the outside of the hull just below the rails. For kayaks, the stickers should be placed in a visible position from the shoreline, at the top of the kayak near the cockpit. In both cases, the stickers should be placed as close to the middle of the boat as possible.

Before applying the stickers, it is important to clean the surface of your boat to ensure the best contact. The method for cleaning the surface depends on the material of your boat. If you have a composite or aluminium boat, clean the area where you will be applying the sticker with a cloth dampened with 70% to 90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Let it dry and then apply the sticker, using a credit card to smooth out any air bubbles. If you have a polyethylene boat (plastic), the process is similar, but you will also need to use a small lighter or torch to glaze the area and burn off excess mould release oil. Practise using the lighter on the palm of your hand first to get a feel for the speed and distance required to avoid burning your hand.

Benefits of registering a boat

Registering a boat comes with several benefits, which vary depending on the country in which the boat is registered. In this response, I will outline the advantages of registering a boat in the United States, Panama, Cayman Islands, Marshall Islands, Cyprus, Liberia, Malta, and British Virgin Islands.

United States

In the United States, boat owners have two options: registering their vessel with an individual state or documenting it through the United States Coast Guard (USCG). While both options allow the owner to fly a US flag off the stern, registering with the USCG offers several additional benefits. Firstly, it provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, as the Certificate of Documentation proves that the vessel is of American nationality when operating outside US waters. Secondly, USCG documentation allows for unhindered commerce between the 50 US states and Puerto Rico, and admits vessels to restricted trades such as coastwise trade and fisheries. Additionally, USCG documentation enhances the availability of preferred mortgages on documented vessels, making it easier to secure financing from lenders. It also enables the recording of the vessel's title history, allowing buyers and sellers to view a listing of mortgages, liens, and other notes attached to the vessel. Lastly, USCG documentation provides the owner with certain legal rights and protections when in foreign waters, including the right to aid from a US Consulate.

Panama

Panama is the largest ship registry in the world, with over 9,000 ships registered under its flag. One of the main benefits of registering a boat in Panama is the low, flat registration fee of $1,500 for non-Panamanian citizens and $1,000 for Panamanian citizens, regardless of the size or weight of the boat. Additionally, no technical certificates or surveys are required, and the registration certificate is valid for two years. Obtaining a provisional registration is a simple process and can be done on the same day as submitting an application, allowing boat owners to start using their vessels right away.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands Shipping Registry is a popular choice for owners of both pleasure and commercial yachts worldwide. It offers various types of yacht registration, including full, interim, provisional, ship under construction, and demise charter/bareboat registration. Yachts registered as pleasure yachts in the Cayman Islands can obtain a License to Cruise US waters, allowing them to enter, depart, and cruise within US waters with minimal reporting requirements. Additionally, there are no restrictions on the nationality of the crew, and the Cayman Islands provide tax-free and confidentiality perks.

Marshall Islands

The Marshall Islands ship registry is the third-largest in the world and offers a simple and quick registration process, allowing boats to be registered within 24 hours. It has regional offices worldwide and is respected by the US, making it a convenient and reputable option for boat registration.

Cyprus

Cyprus has the lowest costs for yacht registration and management in Europe, making it a cost-effective option for boat owners. Additionally, ships registered under the Cypriot flag enjoy tax benefits, such as exemption from income taxes on operations in international waters and no tax on crew wages for international waters. Cyprus also has maritime offices worldwide and is respected worldwide, providing added convenience and security for boat owners.

Liberia

Liberia has the second-largest ship registry in the world, with 12% of registered ships globally. One of the main benefits of registering a boat in Liberia is that there are no restrictions on the nationality of the crew or the country of construction. Additionally, Liberia is respected for its high safety and accident prevention standards, providing added peace of mind for boat owners.

Malta

Malta has one of the largest ship registries in the world and is a popular choice for pleasure yacht registration. It offers low registration costs and is well-respected globally. Additionally, companies operating commercial yachts out of Malta are exempt from income tax on revenue generated by the operation of their yachts and VAT tax on the high seas. There are also no restrictions on the nationality of the crew, making it a flexible option for boat owners.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is a recent addition to the Red Ensign Group, allowing it to register any type and size of ship. Yacht registration under the BVI flag grants access to all ports in the world, a benefit not commonly offered by other registries. Additionally, the BVI is tax-neutral, falling outside the scope of EU VAT laws, resulting in no sales tax on goods and services.

In summary, registering a boat offers several advantages, including simplified documentation processes, tax benefits, enhanced financing options, proof of ownership and nationality, unrestricted travel between states, and protection when in foreign waters. The specific benefits vary depending on the country of registration, so it is essential to consider the unique features and requirements of each jurisdiction when deciding where to register a boat.

Frequently asked questions