The Six-Pack Passenger Limit: What to Do When Seven Passengers Show Up

Picture this: 

You’ve got a charter booked for six passengers set to go out in the morning. You’ve checked the weather, prepped the boat, and you’re ready for a great day on the water. 

But as the departure time approaches, two SUVs pull up to the dock. Seven people pile out, all excited and ready to go.

“It’ll be fine!” they assure you. “We’ll pay extra! Your boat’s plenty big!”

But the Six-Pack passenger limit is firm. How do you respond?

Why Seven Is a Problem: Understanding the Six-Pack Passenger Limit

First, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page and establish why seven passengers is a problem. 

The OUPV license is also called a “Six-Pack” license for good reason: You can only take up to six paying passengers, plus crew, out on the water. That’s it. Not seven. Not “six plus one extra if they fit.” Not “six plus one person goes free.” Six.

This license is perfect for running fishing charters, sailing charters, and guide services, as well as teaching sailing. In other words, it’s great for outings with a small number of people. If you want to take more, you’ll need a Master-level license and an inspected vessel.

The Six-Pack passenger limit is non-negotiable. If you violate it, you’re looking at fines exceeding $10,000 and potentially losing your license entirely. That’s not a risk worth taking, no matter how much extra someone offers to pay.

The Crew Member Temptation (And Why It Doesn’t Work)

I’ve seen this scenario play out more times than I can count. Seven passengers show up, and the captain thinks, “Well, that’s extra money for me. I’ll just make that seventh person my crew member.”

Yes, a crew member doesn’t count toward your six-passenger limit. And they don’t need a special license like the captain. But there’s still a problem.

The Coast Guard has a very specific requirement for crew members: enrollment in a DOT (Department of Transportation) random drug testing program. If that seventh person who just showed up at your dock isn’t in an approved drug testing program, they can’t legally serve as crew.

This isn’t a clever loophole you can exploit when extra passengers arrive unexpectedly. If you run into any trouble or encounter the authorities, that “crew” designation absolutely will not hold up.

What to Do When Extra Passengers Show Up

First, understand that most passengers don’t know the rules unless you tell them. They’re excited about their day on the water, and they genuinely don’t get why one extra person is such a big deal.

That’s where you come in.

When seven people show up for a six-person charter, you have two options: one person stays behind, or the entire group doesn’t go. There’s no third option that keeps you legal and keeps your license safe.

And yes, this has happened to me. Groups have shown up with seven people, and some were very understanding when I explained the situation. Others got angry and didn’t see what the issue was.

Regardless of the group’s response, stand your ground. The risk is 100% yours, not theirs. You’re the one who worked hard to meet those Six-Pack license requirements. You’re the one who invested time and money into your business. And you’re the one who will lose everything if the Coast Guard catches you operating outside your license parameters.

Lay out alternative options. Alongside your adherence to the law, you can offer alternatives to the group. Is one person (or more) willing to stay behind? Then the charter can proceed as planned. Are they set on a group experience? Recommend a company with Master-level credentials that fits the bill, if you know one. They’ll remember your help. 

Don’t apologize for following the law. Emphasize that this is all due to federal regulation, not your personal preference. Make it clear that you take safety and legal compliance seriously, which is exactly what professional operations should do. You can communicate all this calmly and clearly while still remaining firm.

Set expectations ahead of time. When someone books a charter with you, take the opportunity to make that six-passenger limit crystal clear. Put it in your booking confirmation. Mention it in your pre-trip communications. That way, no surprises come up at the dock.

The Six-Pack License Passenger Limit: Final Thoughts

You put in significant work and money to get your license and start your charter business. The Six-Pack passenger limit exists for good reason, and staying within your license’s limits forms the foundation of your legal operations.

So, remember to follow the rules. Even in the face of an angry group. It’s not worth your license, your livelihood, or that $10,000+ fine to accommodate one extra passenger.