Helpful Visitor Tips
11 Things to Bring on a Boat Day
Ensuring compliance with these Coast Guard regulations will help guarantee a safe and secure charter experience.
Protect your skin and eyes from the sun's glare. Avoid using spray sunscreen on the boat to prevent any mishaps.
Don't Get Caught Attending an Illegal Boat Charter
Coast Guard Requirements for Charter Operations
- Merchant Mariner's Credential (MMC): Ensure that the captain possesses a valid Coast Guard-issued Merchant Mariner's Credential. This credential must be onboard and available for inspection.
- Certificate of Inspection (COI): For boats carrying more than six passengers, including at least one for hire, verify that the vessel complies with all Coast Guard safety regulations. Ask to see a valid Certificate of Inspection. Smaller vessels may undergo a voluntary Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) safety exam and display a UPV decal.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Enrollment: Charter employees are required to participate in a drug and alcohol testing program. The captain or operator should be able to provide proof of enrollment in this program, either in the form of a letter from a third-party administrator or a wallet-size enrollment card with the individual's name and expiration date.
Ensuring compliance with these Coast Guard regulations will help guarantee a safe and secure charter experience.
Cancellation Policy
Bad Weather Guarantee & Cancellation Policy
At Crysten’s AMI, we sail rain or shine—so if it’s just rain, your adventure is still on! However, we understand that certain weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances may impact your trip. Please review our policies carefully before booking.
Bad Weather Guarantee – Sail with Confidence!
We are the only company on Anna Maria Island offering a Bad Weather Guarantee to protect your booking from major weather disruptions.
How It Works:
- Thunderstorms or Severe Storms → If you purchased our Bad Weather Guarantee, you will receive a full refund (advertised price of the tour) or we will do our best to reschedule your trip at no cost.
- Heavy Rain (More than 2 Hours) → If you purchased our Bad Weather Guarantee, you will receive a full refund (advertised price of the tour) or we will try to reschedule at no cost.
- Light Rain or Showers → The tour will proceed as scheduled!
What Counts as Unsafe Weather?
Our expert team determines whether weather conditions are unsafe. The following conditions qualify:
Lightning
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
USCG Small Craft Advisory
Winds over 25 mph
If any of these conditions are met, and you have purchased the Bad Weather Guarantee, you will receive a full refund (advertised price of the tour) or an option to reschedule at no cost.
Cancellation Policy
All Bookings Are Final
All sales are final, and cancellations, refunds, and rescheduling are not allowed for any reason, including:
Personal schedule changes
Travel delays or cancellations
Weather, unless covered by the Bad Weather Guarantee
Weather Insurance Option – Bad Weather Guarantee
- Available at checkout for a non-refundable fee of $99 of the booking total.
- Covers major weather events and named storms (e.g., hurricanes) that interrupt tours on the scheduled date.
- Cannot be applied retroactively (e.g., after a storm has passed and conditions are deemed safe by our office).
- Does not cover personal changes to plans.
If you decline the Bad Weather Guarantee, no refunds will be issued due to rain or other weather fluctuations typical to tropical regions.
Rescheduling Policy
Customer-Initiated Rescheduling
- A $100 rescheduling fee applies to cover non-refundable costs.
- Rescheduling is not permitted within 14 days of your scheduled tour, except in the following cases:
Adverse weather conditions (e.g., rain, fog, red tide, small craft advisories issued by the National Marine Forecast)
Mechanical issues (qualify for free rescheduling by Crysten’s AMI)
Rescheduling Due to Weather
- If we determine the weather will improve by your tour time and you choose to take a house credit instead, but the weather turns out to be good, a $100 rescheduling fee will apply.
Reservation & Safety Adjustments
To ensure guest safety and comfort, Crysten’s AMI reserves the right to modify reservations if:
The reserved boat becomes unavailable for any reason.
Unsafe weather conditions are present.