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Board weighs Chapter 91 fuel-transfer options and contingency plans for commercial fishermen
Summary
Members discussed ways to allow insured, controlled diesel transfers from trucks to boats under Chapter 91, noted prior cooperative fueling arrangements, flagged insurance and permitting hurdles, and asked staff to pursue insurance and Harbor-operator coordination to develop a safe program.
The advisory board devoted substantial discussion to Chapter 91 licensing and the practicalities of getting diesel fuel to commercial boats if the fuel dock is unavailable. The chair reported conversations with Sun Island Fuel, which expressed conditional interest in fueling boats if a program were created and insurance arrangements addressed.
Board members described earlier cooperative arrangements at Great Harbor Yacht Club where vendors fueled commercial boats in early-morning windows and stressed that current concerns center on insurance coverage, permitting constraints and avoiding unregulated retail fueling. One board member summarized insurance-market options — standard carriers, captive programs and residual markets — and said documentation and a clear risk-mitigation plan would allow insurers to underwrite a fueling program.
Speakers urged a contingency plan in the event the fuel dock at the boat basin is out of service; options discussed included a truck-based fueling arrangement staged at Children's Beach or Great Harbor with strict limits, or relying on vendors that maintain accounts and vet permit status. The fire marshal (Kevin Ramos) and the harbor operator were identified as stakeholders who must sign off on any practical fueling solution.
The board asked staff to continue researching insurance riders, to consult the fire marshal and harbor operator, and to keep the topic on the agenda. Several members said they would press Great Harbor Yacht Club to ensure fueling capability required under its Chapter 91 permit or to accept responsibility for insurance if a subcontractor (Fender) does not.
No formal vote or policy change was taken; the group agreed to follow up with permit-holding entities, insurers and the fire marshal and to return with concrete proposals.
