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6-Pack Charter vs. Inspected Boat: Miami Booking Guide

By Scott Blaine Hoffman · November 12, 2026 · 5 min read

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Booking a boat around Aventura, Sunny Isles or Haulover looks simple online: pick a date, pick a boat, pay a deposit. What most listings don't explain is the legal category the trip falls into, and that category decides how many people can come, who must be at the helm, and what paperwork the operator should be able to show you. Here is a plain-English guide to six-pack charters, inspected vessels, bareboat charters and rentals, so you can book with confidence.

Why the type of charter matters

When you pay to be carried on a boat, federal law treats you as a "passenger for hire." That triggers U.S. Coast Guard rules on the captain's credentials, the vessel, drug and alcohol testing and passenger limits. Miami is one of the busiest spots in the country for illegal charters. In a single February 2025 weekend, Coast Guard Sector Miami and partner agencies stopped 12 illegal charter voyages on Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, and cited 10 of them for safety violations. Passengers on an illegal charter may have no licensed captain, no insurance that pays out and no one accountable when something goes wrong.

Six-pack charters (uninspected passenger vessels)

A "six-pack" is the nickname for an uninspected passenger vessel. Under Coast Guard rules, a boat under 100 gross tons that is not inspected may carry no more than six passengers when at least one of them is paying. Most center consoles, sportfishers and smaller express cruisers running out of Haulover and the Intracoastal fall into this category.

• Captain: must hold a Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential with at least an OUPV (Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels) endorsement, commonly called a "six-pack license," or a Master license.
• Drug testing: the operator must be enrolled in a Coast Guard drug and alcohol testing program.
• Documentation: boats over 5 net tons need a Certificate of Documentation endorsed for coastwise trade, and the vessel must be U.S.-built or hold a waiver.
• Passenger count: six means six paying or non-paying guests, not counting the captain and crew. Seven friends do not fit on a six-pack, even if one is a toddler.

Six-pack trips are the backbone of local fishing charters and private sandbar cruises. They suit families and small groups well.

Inspected vessels (Certificate of Inspection)

Once a crewed charter carries more than six passengers, the boat must be an inspected small passenger vessel. That means the Coast Guard inspects the hull, machinery, lifesaving and firefighting equipment on a regular schedule and issues a Certificate of Inspection (COI). The COI lists the maximum number of passengers, required crew and permitted route. It is normally posted aboard where passengers can see it.

Party boats, drift fishing boats and larger yachts taking groups of 10, 20 or more need a COI. If you're planning a birthday or corporate outing on one of the yacht charters in our directory, ask to see it before you pay.

Bareboat charters: the common loophole

A bareboat (crewless) charter means you are leasing the boat itself and become legally responsible for it, almost as if you were the owner. Legitimate bareboat charters exist, but the Coast Guard's passenger-for-hire guidance sets firm limits:

• No more than 12 passengers without a COI, and a written charter contract is required.
• The charterer chooses, hires and pays any captain or crew. The contract cannot dictate who the captain is.
• The owner may not be aboard, or serve as captain or crew, during the charter.
• The charterer is responsible for fuel, provisions, insurance and safe navigation.

Boat rentals (Florida liveries)

Renting a boat and driving it yourself is a separate category regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Rental businesses ("liveries") must hold an FWC livery permit, give every renter and operator pre-rental and pre-ride instruction, carry minimum insurance and keep a signed rental agreement. They may not knowingly rent a motorized boat to anyone under 18.

If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you need a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (or an accepted equivalent such as a temporary certificate or a NASBLA-approved out-of-state card) to run a boat of 10 horsepower or more. Browse local boat rentals or peer-to-peer options such as GetMyBoat, and confirm the business is permitted.

Quick comparison

Questions to ask before you book

1. How many passengers can you legally carry? If you have seven or more, the answer must involve a COI.
2. Can I see the captain's Merchant Mariner Credential? Newer credentials carry a QR code, and the Coast Guard's National Maritime Center offers an online verification tool.
3. Is the operator in a drug and alcohol testing program?
4. What happens if weather cancels the trip? Get the refund or reschedule policy in writing.
5. Where do we board and what's included? Fuel, ice, bait, tackle, and whether the price covers marina parking. Many Haulover trips leave from Bill Bird Marina at Haulover Park.

The Coast Guard's own advice is blunt: if the operator cannot show proper credentials, don't get on the boat.

Planning the trip

Popular charter outings from Aventura and Sunny Isles include the Haulover Sandbar, inshore and offshore fishing out of the inlet (see our Haulover fishing guide) and sunset cruises on the Intracoastal. Explore the Haulover & Bal Harbour area for marinas and operators nearby, browse current charter listings, or compare fishing trips on FishingBooker.

Run a licensed charter? Put your boat in front of local visitors: list your charter on Aventura Boating.

FAQ

What does "6-pack charter" mean?

It's a charter on an uninspected vessel that can legally carry up to six passengers for hire. The captain needs at least a Coast Guard OUPV ("six-pack") credential.

Can I book a bareboat charter with a captain the owner provides?

Not legally. In a true bareboat charter, the charterer selects and pays the crew, and the owner cannot be aboard. A package with an owner-chosen captain is a passenger-for-hire trip and must follow those rules.

Do I need a boating license to rent a boat in Florida?

If you were born on or after January 1, 1988, you need a Boating Safety Education ID Card or accepted equivalent to operate a boat of 10 horsepower or more. Rental businesses must also give you pre-ride instruction.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and penalties change, so confirm details with the U.S. Coast Guard and FWC.

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