The National Marine Charter Association (NMCA) provides a unified and effective voice for professional operators in the marine charter industry. Professional marine charterers who provide sailing, fishing, diving, ecotours, water transportation, bareboats, and other excursion vessels up to 150 passengers are represented in NMCA, a national non-profit organization fully representative of their interests.

Washington, D.C.-based NMCA is the only organization that represents the charter industry with two registered lobbyists on staff, which uniquely allows us to work with policymakers in Congress, the Coast Guard, and other federal agencies to impact key regulations and laws which affect the industry.

The association also provides valuable group benefits, including nationwide marketing, drug testing, marine equipment, vessel insurance, health and dental insurance, and other discount programs.

We represent the diverse nature of various segments of the industry, and are committed to be responsive to the will of the membership. Our staff has extensive experience working for the charter industry (over 21 years combined) and is committed to the highest standards in serving members, and ensures that your voice is heard through a membership bill of rights.

We invite you to join our organization as a founding member. We encourage your participation in this first nationwide association for the entire charter industry.

NMCA is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)6 non-profit, tax-exempt trade association

NMCA's Purposes.

NMCA is organized for the following purposes (from NMCA bylaws):

A) To serve as the coordinated national voice for the marine charter industry on regulatory and legislative matters before Congress, the Coast Guard, the Executive Branch, and other federal agencies which affect the industry;

B) To fully represent the full spectrum of marine charter firms in the United States including charter fishing, sailing charters, dive charters, nature and eco-tours, water taxis, demise charters, yacht charters and other for-hire passenger vessels;

C) To promote the highest possible standards for the marine charter industry, through self regulatory programs such as accreditation and certification, and develop significant incentives for those individuals and companies meeting those standards;

D) To provide high quality, low cost group member services and benefits which increase the professionalism and lower the cost of operating a marine charter company and being a professional charter captain;

E) To serve as a body for discussion and resolution of common problems and issues affecting charter captains and the charter industry through national meetings and conferences;

F) To inform its members of issues and developments affecting their businesses through the association's website, newsletter, emails, legislative alerts, meetings and other communications;

G) To publicize the role of the marine charter industry with the media and the general public by means of the website, press information and other efforts;

H) To collect and disseminate information on marine charter companies with a national directory available to businesses and the general public; and

I) To actively cooperate with marine firms, associations, and organizations on common interests and concerns.

Also see: NMCA Membership Bill of Rights