Open Seat!

[AKmud]

Ok, here it is... Discussion about this type of thread was positive so we are going to give it a try.

This thread is for members to advertise an open seat on a fishing trip that they would like to fill. This is NOT a thread to post requests to be taken fishing. Also, please don't post messages that are simply discussion about this thread. We want to keep this thread as clean and easy to read as possible.

Those inviting -

If you are heading out on a fishing trip and have room for one (or ??) more and would like to invite someone to VOLUNTARILY (don't post a price) help out with $$ for gas/gear/food/whatever, post it here. Please be specific with dates/times/species/etc... so there is as little confusion as possible.

Once the seat is filled please make a post that says just that. After the date of the trip has passed, the moderator team will delete the related posts.

Those responding to the invitation -
Please respond to the open seat ad by sending a PM to the person making the offer. Do not post responses to invites on this thread, they will be deleted in order to keep things more sanitary.

This is a work in progress, so if you see something that will streamline the process, send a PM to myself or Daveinthebush and we will try to implement it.

Thanks!!

[CanCanCase]

Originally Posted by jymcat

Hi what would be the price for both the Whitter trip and the Seward one. Want to send my hubby - a serious fishman on a trip. Thanks for the info and look forward to hearing from you.

Hi jymcat, and welcome to the ODD forums! ;-)

Note that the "open seat" trips are not charters. These are private individuals with boats (or trucks in the case of some of the previous posts) that have room for one or more "friends" to join the fun. If a price is placed on the seat or the trip, then legally it's considered a charter, and is subject to different rules, regulations, inspections, licensing, insurance, etc.

Anyone looking for a fishing partner here shouldn't expect ANY payment for the trip (that's kinda like stepping on my toes as a charter operator), but they all certainly appreciate anyone who chips in a few bucks for fuel on a purely voluntary basis.

I only bring this up because of a situation I was in the other day... My family and I were out halibut fishing aboard the Can Can - NOT on a charter. The local NOAA/NMFS enforcement boat pulled up, and was about to write me a ticket because I was fishing and had 1 halibut in the boat myself. When I explained that this was my family, and I wasn't on a charter, he pulled my wife aside and asked her if she had paid any money to come out on the charter boat. She replied that she wrote the check at the fuel dock that morning, and she made lunches for everyone. In the enforcement officer's opinion, that constituted the USCG definition of "passengers for hire", and it was only after I cited several federal statutes and produced a letter from the local CG district that things were clarified and the officer went on his way.

Sorry... I didn't mean to hijack the open seat threads. Admins should feel free to pull or move this post if they deem necessary... I won't take it personally! ;-) I do, however, want everyone to appreciate the extreme value and kindness being expressed when someone posts here offering to take people out on their boats, and know that there is no price that can be placed on such a service.

Happy Alaska Travels!
-Case

[CanCanCase]

Originally Posted by dtol

Do you have a site for or could you post the citations or documents that you informed the officer of?? It could help those of us that wish to take advantage of share-cost opportunities.

The vast majority of my discussion with the NOAA officer was trying to agree on the definition of a "passenger for hire" - once we agreed that "for hire" meant I was getting paid for the passenger to be there, this section of 46CFR did the trick...
------------
[CITE: 46USC2101]
TITLE 46--SHIPPING
Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen
Part A--General Provisions
CHAPTER 21--GENERAL
Sec. 2101. General definition-
In this subtitle--
...
(5a) ``consideration'' means an economic benefit, inducement,
right, or profit including pecuniary payment accruing to an
individual, person, or entity, but not including a voluntary sharing
of the actual expenses of the voyage, by monetary contribution or
donation of fuel, food, beverage, or other supplies.
------------
This is a bit of a legal/political discussion that probably doesn't belong here in "Open Seat"... the bottom line, however, is that the vessel owner/operator cannot REQUIRE any form of payment from the guests, but the guest may VOLUNTARILY chip in for fuel, etc. as long as the amount paid doesn't exceed the actual expenses for the trip.

-Case

[montanakeith]

I'm a 60 y.o. retired man from Montana with a terrific boat in Homer (2859 Bayliner Classic) who's looking for a fishing friend to help w/fuel costs & boat operation. After two seasons, I've realized that handling a 32ft. boat alone is both dangerous and expensive. Looking for someone from Homer/Anchor Point area who enjoys fishing & wants to do some serious fishing.

[AKmud]

Please remember this thread is provided for those with boats (or whatever) who are heading out and have room for another person. It is NOT meant as a "please take me fishing" thread. If that type of thread would be useful, let me know and I'll stick another one precisely for that.

Also, respond to open seat offers via PM please so we can keep this thread cleaned up a bit.

[new2town]

Seeing as this thread needed to be cleaned up so much, your suggestion of a take me fishing thread may be warranted.

[Alasgun]

I'm wanting to get in another Whittier trip before returning to work and none of the "usuals" can make it so I'll go out on a limb and give this a try!

Heres the particulars: I'm on a 25 ft C-dory and want to leave Monday morning (August 10th) heading to Whittier for a tenative launch around noon. I will stay out (on the boat) two nights, returning Wednesday, mid afternoon. The boat is fully equipt, yep got a head too! All you would need is a sleeping bag, pillow, personal effects etc. Also you could bring what ever you may want to eat, i'm pretty much a snacker but will grill shrimp or steak for our evening meal.


My intentions are to shrimp and fish but please don't look at this as a "meat run". If your one of those more and bigger types please don't respond.
I'm looking for a 30 to 55 year old person who might like a simple trip with plenty of opportunity to just kick back. I can show you some of the cool places I've found over the years and if we catch fish great, if not that's great too. I can guarantee shrimp which I'll split with you.

This trip is not about "sharing expenses" and I expect nothing from you other than a decent attitude. Please follow the forum rules and use the P.M feature to respond, Thanks Mike

P.S as always the trip is weather dependant.

[Alasgun]

my open seat is now full, thanks for the interest.

[alaskachuck]

Imm looking to float the upper kenai. Day run leaving anchorage at 5am. Have room for 1 person in my cat with me. Just chasing some bows, a beer or two on the water and a day on the water. coming back tomorrow night. If you interested shoot me a pm

[ACBMAN]

I have 2 spots for this weekend, leave Friday afternoon, come back in Monday morning, (sleep on the boat) shrimping and fishing, non or light drinker, (I like a beer with supper) Non smoker or on the bow and can help with the boat. (mostly the anchor when pulling with a bouy) I live in Anchorge, send me your number and I will call you today after 5:30PM. Thanks Bill

[ACBMAN]

I could also get you to shore to look for deer and bear.