Whether you’re cruising the lakes, navigating rivers, or exploring the protected waters of the Puget Sound, Seattle offers a fantastic environment for boat ownership and charter operations. With generally calm waters, a wide variety of boating activities — from sailing and fishing to swimming and cruising — the region is ideal for both private owners and commercial operators.

All Getmyboat owners and operators are required to follow the applicable laws and regulations. Proper registration, permitting, safe operation and good environmental practices all matter — for your business, your customers, and the environment.

Below is a guide covering key compliance areas for watercraft operations in Washington State and the Seattle area.

1. Registration & Titling

Before you operate your vessel, you must ensure proper registration and titling under Washington law.

  • According to the state boating portal, to navigate, operate, employ, or moor your vessel in Washington, you must have a Washington title, registration card, and registration decals.
  • Exemptions do apply (e.g., canoes, kayaks, or vessels under certain dimensions or power) but only in limited circumstances.
  • In the city of Seattle, per the Harbor Patrol regulations you must carry the registration card onboard and ensure that registration numbers and decals are properly displayed.
    Tip: Make sure your boat’s registration is current and properly documented — this is the first compliance checkpoint.

2. Insurance & Charter-Business Coverage

While state law sets registration and safety standards, commercial operations also carry risk exposure — liability, passenger safety, and environmental risks.

Work with a trusted insurer experienced in marine charter coverage, and ensure the policy covers your vessel, passengers, crew and commercial activities.


Tip: Treat insurance as an investment in your business’s stability, reputation and risk management.

3. Certificate of Inspection (COI) & Charter-Specific Permits

For charter boats, additional inspection and licensing rules apply:

If your vessel carries 12 or more paying passengers, a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection (COI) may be required.

For vessels less than 100 gross tons: COI required when carrying 7 or more paying passengers. For vessels over 100 gross tons: COI required at 12+ passengers.

The vessel must meet inspection standards, equipment requirements and maintain compliance with federal and state regulations.


Tip: Before accepting bookings, verify whether your vessel triggers the COI threshold and ensure compliance ahead of time.

4. Captain’s License & Operator Qualifications

Your captain (or you, if you’ll be skippering) must hold the appropriate credential:

  • For commercial charters, particularly those carrying passengers for hire, you must hold the credential regulated by the United States Coast Guard (USCG).
  • If you or your operator need a license, look for USCG-approved courses (for example through partners such as Mariners Learning System).
    Tip: Make sure you (and any captain) have current licensing and safety endorsements before embarking on revenue-generating trips.

5. Safety Checklist & Rental-Specific Requirements

For motorboat and rental operations in Washington:

  • Under state law (RCW 79A.60 and related rules) and state Parks regulations, an operator must review a motor‐vessel safety checklist with customers before renting a motorboat or vessel with engine 15 horsepower or more.
  • Safety equipment, life jackets, navigational rules, cold-water immersion guidance, and accident-reporting obligations are all spelled out in Washington’s boating regulations.

  • It's best practice to provide a clear, user-friendly safety briefing for every rental, and keep the checklist documented (signed or timestamped) for compliance and risk management.

6. Environmental & Navigation Rules

When operating in Puget Sound or nearby waters, you’ll also need to pay special attention to environmental regulations and traffic-separation systems:

  • The state has designated a No-Discharge Zone (NDZ) for the Puget Sound (including Lake Washington, Lake Union and connecting waters). All vessels must comply — e.g., no treated or untreated sewage discharge into those waters.
  • In traffic‐intensive waters such as Puget Sound, recreational vessels must avoid loitering in shipping lanes; cross at near‐90° angles; and avoid impeding large commercial vessels.

    Tip: Design your operations to respect both traffic systems (especially in busy waterways) and environmental rules — this protects your business reputation and avoids heavy penalties.

Important Contacts

Registration & Title: Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)

  • Phone (Vehicle & Boat Registration): 360-902-3770.
  • General Contact Phone: 360-902-3900 (TTY: 711) for broader inquiries.
  • Online Registration & Information: https://dol.wa.gov/vehicles-and-boats/boats/register-boat
  • Mailing/Subagent Offices: Look up local licensing agencies (e.g., King County sub-agents) for in-person service.

Safety Checklists & Rental Regulations: Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission, Boating Program

Federal Oversight & Inspection: United States Coast Guard (USCG) – Sector Puget Sound

  • Address: 1519 Alaskan Way S, Seattle, WA 98134.
  • Phone: (206) 217-6200 (Switchboard) and for Sector Puget Sound general contact.