WHY CHOOSE EMBARK DC?

THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT SAFETY AND LEGAL REASONS FOR SELECTING EMBARK DC.
⇓

 
 

PRIVATE:

Firstly, we’re a private tour. You’re not riding with people you don’t know. That’s not necessarily a safety issue, just a difference in experience. The tours are tailored for you, and we will respond to your needs and preferences to ensure you feel fully safe and comfortable.

Licensed to Operate in DC:

Embark DC is registered in Washington DC as a charter business and licensed by the Washington DC Harbor Patrol (the on-water police department) to operate commercially. Most individuals or “charter companies” are not officially permitted to operate in Washington DC waters. This means that if you’re pulled over by DCHP, your charter will likely be ended on the spot and escorted back to the dock.

These are commercial charters, not “bareboat” TOURS:

If you’re hearing about private boat options with 12 passengers, it’s likely that they’re offering a “bareboat” tour, unless the boat is over 100 tonnes. These charters use a very confusing loophole in the law and are not considered commercial charters, legally. What that means is that you are required to enter a binding contract to fully take ownership of the vessel during the rental period. You are entirely responsible for the vessel and passengers during that time—not the captain nor the owner. If something happens, regardless of whether there’s insurance in place, you’ll be involved in what follows. If the USCG stops the boat (common), you must answer all the questions regarding safety equipment, paperwork, licensing, etc. The captain should not answer on your behalf, or the charter becomes commercial, and therefore illegal, and you may well be escorted back to the dock by the USCG immediately. In a bareboat agreement, the captain does not actually need to be a licenced captain. On a commercial charter, it’s a requirement.

USCG-licensed captains:

Our captains are fully licensed to operate commercially by the United States Coast Guard and are randomly drug tested and undergo periodic medical examinations, but also, they have deep experience. There’s more to safe boating than having a license. Our founder is a former naval air navigator. Captains have experience on vessel small and large, all the way up to a 500-foot Arleigh Burke class destroyer. For captains in our fleet, safety is baked in.

Insured:

Believe it or not, many private operators of charters don’t have charter insurance at all. Some “bareboat” charters are insured via a 3rd party, but if there’s a claim even if completely unrelated to you or your party, you’ll be involved. See the note above on bareboat charters and your responsiblities.

COMMERCIAL DOCKS:

Embark uses much more expensive commercial dock space as required by Washington DC for any charter operator. Anyone operating in Washington DC out of a private or personal slip is operating illegally, and could get shut down before your cruise.

All Sounds great, but I still don’t understand why 6 is the maximum passengers per boat?

  • Yes, our open-bow sport boats can seat 10+ people. Yes, the definition of a “yacht certified” vessel effectively implies that our larger vessel can carry as many people as the conditions allow and the captain approves.

  • So, why only 6? It’s a complicated explanation that only the USCG can fully explain.

  • You may well discover options, called “bareboats” allowing more passengers. What is that about?

  • Well… again, it’s complicated. But you should be thoughtful about whether you want to be responsible for that complication.

This is a limitation imposed by the United States Coast Guard (USCG): Read more, here…

With advanced notice, we can arrange multi-boat tours for groups of more than six!

Have more questions? Visit our full FAQ page, or call 1-888-634-3335!