New Weight Limits Could Hurt S. Fla. Commercial Boat Businesses

MIAMI (CBS4) - Commercial boat operators across South Florida and across the country are going to have to make major changes to the number of people they can take out on the water.

New federal weight limits are around the corner and it's got some operators worried.

Having a charter boat temporarily out of service for repair isn't the only financial concern Captain Ed Sparrow has right now.

The guidelines could severely impact his charter cruise company and others like it.

"There are people that are going to be hurting from this," Captain Sparrow told CBS4's Natalia Zea.

The Coast Guard is changing the passenger weight limit each commercial boat can carry.

"Each passenger has a value of money, so it'll cost..it's a cost factor," explains Sparrow.

For years the Coast Guard estimated the average American passenger on a boat at 160 pounds, they've now raised that to 185.

"Too many hamburgers..too many McDonalds trips," laughed Sparrow.

That's right, because on average Americans have gotten fatter, the Coast Guard wants to make sure commercial boats can handle the weight without tipping over.

"A boat can go on a commercial vessel and it could have some beautiful ladies on it, and everybody's like oh look at that over there and all of a sudden everyone's over there," said Sparrow.

But not everyone is worried about the law's impact. Captain Nick Albert says operators like him who already only take out half the number of passengers their boats can fit should be in good shape.

"We, for a long time never had any intention of going to the maximum capacity. Just room and comfort," said Albert.

Both Captains agree safety is the priority.

"I think it's important that we do it, I mean we're gonna lose some passenger counts but safety, keeping boats operating, we don't want any incidents," said Sparrow.

Though the Coast Guard has set the weight limit, Captain Sparrow says they don't know exactly how it will be measured or how all the boat operators will reach that limit.

The new restrictions go into effect this December.