All I can tell you is that ALOT of people run uninspected vessels very successfully all over the US. The rules are the same everywhere. The real question in deciding to start a charter operation is going to be CUSTOMERS. Can you rely on a steady, reliable flow of charter customers based on how you have marketed your operation? Can you make a reasonable profit in a seasonal industry(I don't think you will run too many times over the winter here)?
It's a question I have pondered a lot. There are some challenges, however. As an unlicensed operation, you are not legally allow to charge for the use of the vessel. This includes pure costs. Fact is, if I invite some buddies to go fishing, I cannot charge them for their portion of the fuel. So, I understand lots of people do it, but the second you do, the charter capt next to you, whom you're taking money from, has every right to report you to the USCG. Bye bye boat, hello court costs, and yes, it does happen.
No problem, lets take a risk. I have a 21 Sea Ox Cuddy w/a 200 HP engine and Sea Tow, fitted out for diving, including ladder, tank racks, overboard winch and boom. I have Chirp and RADAR along with two high end GPS, one a chart mapper, so I can put you in the same spot, time after time. I have solid numbers for 12 wrecks, and a lot of chase numbers for the fun of it. I trailer, so I don't have to pay marina fees or Gas (though I have to use premium for no alcohol).
So, to costs. My annual insurance and Sea Tow are around $400. over the past 9 years I have owned a boat, my annual maintenance (Trailer and Boat) has averaged $1300 a year and annual updates of around $600. I can go inshore or offshore, so my number of trips per year can be pretty high, last year, I did about 70, with an average fuel use of 58 Gallon. So, $16000 in Fuel plus costs are $18300 for an average trip cost of $265 last year. This year, fuel has come down, so it will be $206 per trip. Divide that by 4 (Instructor and Capt ride for free) and costs are $52 per person, reasonable margin of 40% , that's $87 pp for a no frills go cheap boat ride.
When, I look at all that $140 per day, $17.50 an hour versus the risk of lawsuit (not if, when)- I'm not sure it works.