Captain & Operator Licensing FAQ

Generally, three separate regulatory requirements apply. Captain Licensing: The individual operating the vessel must hold an appropriate, valid New York State Public Vessel operator license issued by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) through its Marine Services Bureau. Vessel Certification: The vessel must have a current NYS Public Vessel Certificate of Inspection issued by NYS Parks, authorizing commercial passenger operations and specifying its approved passenger capacity. LGPC Operating Permit: The commercial operation must hold the applicable LGPC Tour Boat Special Permit issued by the Lake George Park Commission, specifically authorizing the proposed commercial activity. A licensed captain and inspected vessel do not, by themselves, establish authorization to provide water taxi or charter services on Lake George. All three requirements must be satisfied before accepting commercial bookings.

You can register your interest, but a captain's license alone is not sufficient to begin accepting bookings. Your vessel must also be properly certified, and your commercial operation must hold the applicable LGPC Tour Boat Special Permit. Port of Call verifies required documentation before enabling commercial operations.

Yes. Port of Call welcomes existing licensed charter operators. However, participation in Port of Call does not automatically expand the activities authorized under an existing LGPC permit. For example, an operator already approved for private sightseeing charters may need a Tour Boat Special Permit modification before providing point-to-point water taxi transportation. Operators should review their existing permits and confirm whether any modification is required before accepting bookings for additional services.

Water Taxi: A passenger requests transportation between locations on Lake George, typically paying for a particular trip. Private Charter: A customer books a captained vessel for an agreed period or itinerary, such as a sightseeing cruise or private excursion. Both are commercial passenger activities, but the operator must be authorized for the specific services offered. A permit authorizing private charters should not automatically be interpreted as permission to operate a water taxi.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, through its Marine Services Bureau, administers Public Vessel operator licensing on Lake George. The process generally includes confirming eligibility for the appropriate license classification, completing the required boating safety education, submitting the appropriate Public Vessel operator license application, completing applicable examinations and background checks, and receiving the required operator credential. A Joint Pilot & Engineer (JP&E) license is a common credential for qualifying commercial passenger vessel operators, although the appropriate license depends on the vessel and operation. Applicants should confirm current age, experience, testing and credential requirements directly with NYS Parks Marine Services Bureau at parks.ny.gov/activities/boating/public-vessels.

Yes. Commercial passenger vessels subject to New York's Public Vessel requirements must be inspected and certified by NYS Parks. The Certificate of Inspection establishes the approved passenger capacity and applicable operating conditions. Public Vessel inspections are generally conducted annually, with certificates typically valid for up to 54 weeks. Operators must maintain current certification and comply with the vessel's approved passenger capacity, required safety equipment and operating restrictions.

Commercial water taxi and charter operations on Lake George are regulated by the Lake George Park Commission (LGPC) under its Tour Boat Special Permit program. The official application is titled "Application for Special Permit for the Operation of Tour Boats on Lake George" and specifically includes water taxi operations. New operators generally need to apply for a Tour Boat Special Permit. Existing permit holders may need to apply for a modification if they wish to add water taxi services, change authorized pickup locations, expand their operating areas, or otherwise change their approved activities. The exact requirements depend on the operator's existing permits and proposed operations.

Contact the Lake George Park Commission and explain your proposed operation. Be prepared to provide the type of service (water taxi, private charter or both), vessel information and certified passenger capacity, proposed pickup and departure locations, anticipated operating hours and trip frequency, proposed service area, and associated marina or operating facility. The LGPC will determine whether a new permit, permit modification or additional marina approval is required. Do not begin offering activities that are not authorized by your existing permit.

Not necessarily. Commercial passenger pickup and drop-off locations are subject to applicable LGPC requirements, facility approvals, property-owner permission, and the conditions of the operator's permit. Commercial operations may require an appropriately authorized Class A marina or other approved facility. Changes to an existing marina's authorized commercial activities may require a Class A Marina Modification application. Port of Call will only permit bookings involving locations and services authorized for the participating operator.

Operators should: 1. Verify that their captain holds the appropriate New York State Public Vessel operator license issued by NYS Parks. 2. Verify that their vessel has the necessary NYS Parks inspection and certification for commercial passenger service. 3. Review the LGPC Tour Boat Special Permit application and identify the services they intend to offer. 4. Identify their proposed operating areas, passenger pickup and drop-off locations, and vessel berthing arrangements. 5. Determine whether their proposed facilities require additional LGPC approvals or modifications. 6. Submit the applicable applications and obtain the necessary approvals before beginning commercial operations. Operators may express interest in Port of Call while their applications are pending, but cannot accept bookings until their required approvals are verified.

Only if those trips are consistent with your existing permit and its approved operating conditions. On-demand water taxi service may increase the number of trips or operating hours beyond those originally reviewed and approved by the LGPC. Operators are responsible for ensuring that their Port of Call bookings remain within their authorized activities, schedules and operating restrictions. A permit modification may be required to expand those activities.

Yes. Captains and operators may express interest and begin the onboarding process while obtaining necessary approvals. However, registration does not authorize commercial operations. Port of Call will not activate an operator to accept commercial bookings until the applicable licensing, certification and permit requirements have been verified.

Participating operators should be prepared to provide a valid NYS Public Vessel operator license, current vessel Certificate of Inspection, applicable LGPC Tour Boat Special Permit, any approved permit modifications, vessel details and authorized passenger capacity, applicable commercial insurance documentation, and additional permits or authorizations relevant to the proposed services. Port of Call may require updated documentation when credentials expire or operating conditions change.

New York State Parks — Marine Services Bureau is responsible for Public Vessel operator licensing, examinations, vessel inspections, and Certificates of Inspection. Visit parks.ny.gov/activities/boating/public-vessels for official information. Lake George Park Commission is responsible for Tour Boat Special Permits, permit modifications, marina approvals, and commercial operating authorizations on Lake George. Visit lgpc.ny.gov or call 518-668-9347.

If you're a licensed captain or commercial boat operator interested in offering water taxi or private charter services on Lake George, we'd like to hear from you. You can begin registration even if you're still working toward the necessary permits — Port of Call will not activate commercial bookings until all required credentials are verified.