R651-206-3. Utah Carrying Passengers for Hire (CPFH) Trip Leader and Guide Qualifications

  (1) Unless exempted in R651-206-9, no person shall operate a vessel engaged in carrying passengers for hire on sole state waters unless that person is a trip leader, guide or U.S. Coast Guard Master's License holder authorized by an outfitting company licensed by the Division.

  (2) When carrying passengers for hire on the waters of Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge or Lake Powell,

  (a) on motorized trips the trip leader authorized by an outfitting company shall have a valid and appropriately endorsed U.S. Coast Guard Master's License.

  (b) on non-motorized trips, authorized trip leaders and guides are not required to have a U.S. Coast Guard Master's License.

  (3) Every trip leader and guide engaged in carrying passengers for hire shall have in their possession a trip manifest issued by the outfitting company containing the information in R651-206-2(7).

  (4) A person qualified as a trip leader on lakes and reservoirs shall meet the following qualifications:

  (a) have a valid and appropriately endorsed U.S. Coast Guard Master's License for motorized trips.

  (b) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (c) Complete a minimum of at least 80 hours of actual vessel operation experience, including 40 hours operating the same or similar vessel on the same lake or reservoir upon which the person shall carry passengers for hire.

  (d) Possess a current advanced first aid certification; and

  (e) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (f) A person qualified to lead as a trip leader on motorized and/or non-motorized trips shall meet the following criteria:

  (i) Motorized trips: completion of National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety course.

  (ii) Non-motorized trips: completion of a skills course from the American Canoe Association (ACA) or from the World Paddling Association (WPA).

  (5) A person qualified as a trip leader operating on whitewater rivers shall meet the following qualifications:

  (a) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (b) Complete a minimum of nine river trips on whitewater river sections, including at least one trip shall operate the same or similar vessel on the same river section on which the operator will be carrying passengers for hire.

  (c) Possess a current advanced first aid certification.

  (d) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (6) A person qualified as a trip leader operating on Flat water river areas shall meet the following qualifications:

  (a) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (b) Complete a minimum of six river trips on any river section, and at least one trip shall operate the same or similar vessel, on the same river section on which the trip leader will be carrying passengers for hire.

  (c) Possess a current advanced first aid certification.

  (d) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (7) A person qualified as a guide operating on Lakes and Reservoirs, shall meet the following qualifications:

  (a) Have a valid and appropriately endorsed U.S. Coast Guard Master's License for motorized trips or

  (a) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (b) Complete a minimum of at least 20 hours of actual vessel operation experience; Including 10 hours operating the same or similar vessel on the same lake or reservoir upon which the person shall carry passengers for hire.

  (c) Possess a current basic first aid certification.

  (d) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (e) A person qualified as a guide operating on motorized and/or non-motorized trips shall meet the following criteria:

  (i) Motorized trips: completion of a National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety course.

  (ii) Non-motorized trips: completion of a skills course from the American Canoe Association (ACA) or from the World Paddling Association (WPA).

  (8) A person qualified as a guide operating on whitewater rivers, shall meet the following qualifications:

  (a) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (b) Complete a minimum of three river trips on "whitewater" rivers or river sections, and at least one trip shall operate the same or similar vessel, on the same river section on which the person will be carrying passengers for hire.

  (c) Possess a current basic first aid certification.

  (d) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (9) A person qualified as a guide operating on flatwater rivers, shall meet the following qualifications;

  (a) Be at least 18 years of age.

  (b) Complete a minimum of three river trips on flatwater or whitewater river sections, and at least one trip shall operate the same or similar vessel on the same river section on which the person will be carrying passengers for hire.

  (c) Possess a current basic first aid certification.

  (d) Possess a current CPR certification.

  (10) An outfitting company shall maintain a trip log for each person certified by the company as a trip leader or guide. The log shall include the person's:

  (a) Full legal name and date of birth;

  (b) Proof of a current certification in first-aid and CPR.

  (c) A record of on water experience including dates of trips.

  (11) An outfitting company shall maintain all trip leader and guide trip logs while they are authorized by the company and for a period of at least six years after his/her termination. These records shall be maintained at the outfitting company's designated place of business. The outfitting company, or any employee having access to such records, shall provide it to any peace officer enforcing the provisions of R651-602.

  (13) A trip leader or guide shall not carry passengers for hire when unfamiliar with the vessel and the waterway provided there is a trip leader or guide on board who is familiar. An exception to this rule allows a trip leader to lead passengers on an unfamiliar lake, reservoir, or a flatwater river area, as long as there is a trip leader or guide who is familiar with the vessel, the waterway, and remains within sight of the rest of the group.

  (14) There shall be at least one trip leader and one guide under the following conditions:

  (a) On a vessel carrying more than 49 passengers for hire;

  (b) On a vessel carrying more than 24 passengers for hire, and operating more than one mile from shore;

  (c) For each passenger deck on a vessel.

  (15) Requirements for leading low capacity vessels in a group.

  (a) On lakes and reservoirs, there shall be at least one trip leader or guide for every eight low capacity vessels;

  (b) On whitewater river sections, there shall be at least one trip leader or guide for every four low capacity vessels.

  (c) On flatwater river areas, there shall be at least one trip leader or guide for every six low capacity vessels or racing shells.

  (16) A trip leader or guide shall not operate a vessel for more than 12 hours in a 24 hour period.