Some very good answers here.
Once again this question shows the holes & loop holes we have here when we compare boating laws to comparable regulations covering vehicles, atvs and snowmobiles.
There are various regulations in the OHRV and automotive rules that can hold an owner legally accountable for the operator of a vehicle registered to them.
The same issue is mostly left uncovered when it comes to boats.
That said if you "knowingly" allow an unlicensed operator to operate a vessel owned or co-owned by you then you open yourself up to tremendous civil liability.
The key word being "knowingly", as is admitted by the original poster.
Additionally some insurance carriers have exclusions on coverage if the operator is in violation of the law at the time of the accident.
Bottom line:
Have Insurance!
Know what that insurance covers, but more importantly - excludes!
Do not allow anyone to operate a vessel you own or co-own unless you know for sure they have the appropriate safety certificate.
Just a sidenote and not to get too far off track...
If you allow someone to operate a vessel you own and you should have known that that person was unfit to operate, including the fact that they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you open yourself up to the opportunity to be indicted for one or more felonies!
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