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Why choose to cruise with Embark DC?

We are a unique boat tour company in Washington DC. We’ve worked carefully to build an operation that is intentionally different, and better. This is why we believe we’re the right choice for you.

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Private & custom:

There are lots of boats, like the river taxis, running up and down the river. But if you want to be with only your friends, family, or colleagues, you’ve come to the right place. And if you want to decide everything about your cruise (duration, speed, destinations, etc.), you can do so. We can also go above and beyond for special occasions, with enough notice… we are not a one-size-fits-all offering.

legal:

There are a lot of illegal charter operations in Washington, DC, and elsewhere. And the US Coast Guard is cracking down hard. Often charter guests don’t know they’ve hired an illegal charter boat until the Coast Guard stops the boat, boards the boat (with weapons), and ends the charter on the spot. In many cases, the lead charterer is liable for all infractions.

This is NOT A “BAREBOAT” CHARTER:

If you’re on a boat under 100 gross tons with more than 6 people, and the boat does not have a Certificate of Inspection from the USCG, you’re on a “bareboat” charter. That means you, in effect, own the boat during that charter, and are fully responsible for it. You must have a separate contract with the captain (though he/she may not be qualified in any way), the owner is never permitted aboard, and if something goes wrong, you will need to answer to the Coast Guard, other authorities, the owner, insurers, etc.

captained:

This is not a boat rental company. This is a captained charter boat tour. We always have USCG certified captains on board ensuring your safety. And the captains all work for Embark DC, vs. being contracted from a pool of people looking for side jobs.

ProfessionaL:

With multiple captains on staff, we only provide captains with deep experience who are licensed by the US Coast Guard. Many of our captains have experience on much bigger vessels, including navy ships, and deeply respect the importance of the job. We are fully insured, registered as a charter business in Washington DC, licensed by the DC Harbor Police, operate from commercial slips, just like the river taxi companies, and have been doing this since 2015.

Proven & experienced:

Unlike many operations who are here today and gone next week, Embark has been operating in DC as a fully licensed business since 2015… on our way to 10 years. Our captains are experienced, and we know more than any other charter company about the waterways, safety issues, the sites, and the sights.

AUTHORIZED:

We are the only private charter operation authorized by the various authorities (e.g. DC Harbor Police & the National Park Service) to operate out of all the major docks and marinas in the greater Washington DC area. This includes all the major docks from George Washington’s Mount Vernon to Georgetown’s commercial dock wall. No charters can operate out of the DC Wharf without a commercial slip agreement. And… we have that too.

Boat options:

We offer both open-bow, 25-foot boats and a larger, yacht-certified, multi-level, climate-controlled sedan bridge cruiser.

knowledgeable tour guides:

Our captains have deep and rich knowledge of and appreciation for Washington DC history, and can provide a full narrative of the sights you pass on the water. If you’re interested in learning more about DC (as well as Maryland and Virginia), we are here for you. You are welcome to bring your private guides aboard too. However, we get that some of you know all you need to know, or just want to relax quietly. Just let us know what experience you seek, and we’ll make that happen.

Flexible:

Because this is fully private and fully custom, we are happy to do what you like, as long as it’s safe. Yes, the captains can give you all the information you could ask for about the sights, but we can also stay quiet and out of the way. We can go as slowly and peacefully as you like, but we can also thrill the kids at full speed. We can squeeze in every possible monument or you can just pull off the dock, drop the anchor, and relax.

but Why only 6 passengers?:

This is a USCG regulation for vessels under 100 gross tonnes. If you are on a cruise with more than 6 people, it is almost certainly a “bareboat” charter. This carries a series of complex legal ramifications that almost no lead charterers know about. Effectively, you are fully responsible for the vessel during the time you are on it. In fact, you effectively own the boat. And if anything goes wrong, you are responsible. If the Coast Guard stops the boat, you are expected to answer all the questions, including handling all the paperwork and registration information, show contracts granting you and the captain permissions, prove all safety compliance (fire extinguishing equipment, correct life jacket types and numbers, noise making devices, waste placards, navigation lighting, registrations, etc.). In our opinion, you’re safer at six.

SAFE:

This is actually the most important difference, but we put it last so you know you don’t have to worry. Our captains are deeply experienced, often with navigation or naval backgrounds, and tested by the US Coast Guard. Our captains all participate in random drug testing programs. We are fully licensed to operate by DC Harbor Police and the company is fully insured. We are deeply experienced on the water, fully aware of tides, currents, depths, traffic, etc. Our vessels are maintained consistently by experienced and certified technicians. Most importantly, we are proud to say we have been in operation since 2015 without a safety incident.

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