Section 2080.60  Licensing Requirements

a)         Navigable Waters (U.S. Coast Guard License)

1)         All persons operating watercraft carrying passengers on the navigable waters of this State shall have a license issued to them by the U.S. Coast Guard authorizing the operation of navigation of vessels carrying passengers for hire, under the provisions of 46 CFR subchapters H, K, and T.

2)         Licensed operators shall be authorized to operate only vessels designated by the license, and only on bodies of water so designated on the license. All qualified operators shall be listed on the license issued by the Department.  No one may operate the vessel carrying passengers unless they are listed as a qualified operator on the license.

3)         The license shall be kept in full force and effect and conspicuously displayed and shall be framed under transparent material.  Where posting is impractical, the license shall be carried onboard to be shown on demand.

4)         All persons operating or serving as a crew member on board any watercraft carrying passengers for hire on the navigable waters of this State shall carry with them on board the vessel at all times proof of compliance with U.S. Coast Guard and USDOT drug testing regulations (46 CFR 16 and 49 CFR 40).

b)         Inland Waters

1)         Licensed operators shall be authorized to operate only vessels designated by the license and only on bodies of water designated on the license. All licensed operators shall be listed on the license issued by the Department.  No one may operate the vessel carrying passengers unless they are listed as a qualified operator on the license.

2)         The license shall be kept in full force and effect and conspicuously displayed and shall be framed under transparent material.  Where posting is impractical, the license shall be carried onboard to be shown on demand.

3)         No U.S. Coast Guard license, as described in subsection (a), shall be required for watercraft operating solely on inland waters.

(Source:  Amended at 45 Ill. Reg. 8394, effective June 23, 2021)