You may recall that In June 2023, a group’s permit was revoked after they were fully rigged. At the behest of several commercial guides, who eavesdropped on the party’s conversation while resting under the shade structure, the on duty Glen Canyon National Recreation Area rangers, determined that theirs was a “pirate trip.”
A year later, the permit holder contacted GCPBA for help. We took on the request and reviewed all available information—the LE report, the group’s email exchanges, the rangers’ bodycam recordings, contacted the guides’ commercial outfitter, and reviewed email exchanges between the group and their attorney.
It was not a pirate trip. Revoking the permit was a great injustice. Folks had flown in, food had been purchased, etc.—you can appreciate the disappointment, not to mention the expenses incurred, plus their subsequent legal fees.
In our annual meeting with Park Superintendent Ed Keable and Steve Sullivan from the Permits Office, we reported our findings and asked that the permit be restored at a date of the permit holder’s choosing. It was. The charges were dropped after a few of the participants were scheduled to appear in Federal Court. The Park’s attorneys found they had no case.
When asked, I recommended a post-September 15th launch date to the permit holder. The picture below is the group ready to push off on September 18, 2026. On the far right is Board member Helen Howard, who took time off from volunteering for the BLM in Montana to assist the group in getting organized and thru the inspection procedure. Thank you Helen!!
Subsequently, per our request, the regulations pertaining to cost-sharing were changed; see the December 20, 2024 revision, Page 2. Also, it became clear that Glen Canyon NRA rangers are clueless about all the possible cost-sharing permutations. Thankfully, we now have a Grand Canyon Park ranger who is a private boater herself.
The group expressed their appreciation for GCPBA’s help. So, thank you members – with your support, we were able to assist these folks and correct a wrong.
John Vrymoed, President
Grand Canyon Private Boaters’ Association
gcpbamail@gmail.com
gcpba.org