MIAMI – Coast Guard Sector Miami law enforcement officers, along with federal and state law enforcement partners, terminated 16 illegal charter voyages, Friday-Sunday, within Miami River, Biscayne Bay, and off Lummus Park.
The owners of vessels Isabella, Second Wind, Dolce Vita I and a 26-foot recreational vessel were reportedly violating active federal Captain of the Port Orders. All 16 vessels were terminated and cited for safety violations.
The Isabella, a cabin cruiser, was previously boarded and issued a COTP order on Friday and went out again on Sunday without correcting their safety deficiencies. The vessel was determined to be in violation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.
The Second Wind, a cabin cruiser, was boarded Friday, and it was determined they were in violation of two previous COTP orders issued on Jan. 20, 2024, and Feb. 22, 2025. The vessel was determined to be in violation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.
The 26-foot recreational vessel was boarded Saturday, and it was determined they were in violation of a previously issued COTP order issued on July 2. The vessel was determined to be in violation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.
The Dolce Vita I, a motor yacht, was boarded Sunday, and it was determined they were in violation of a previously issued COTP order issued on Feb. 6. The vessel was determined to be in violation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.
Some of the violations issued during the16 boardings consisted of:
· Violation of 33 C.F.R. 160.105 – Violation of active COTP Order.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100(a) - Failure to have a valid Certificate of Inspection.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 67.7 - Failure to have a valid Certificate of Documentation endorsed for Coastwise Trade.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 16.201- Failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.401(a) - Failure to employ an appropriately credentialed mariner.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.515(c) - Failure to have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as a small passenger vessel.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.605 - Failure to have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 180.71 - Failure to ensure type 1 PFDs for all persons aboard while operating as a small passenger vessel.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 25.25-5 - Failure to ensure type 1 PFDs for all persons aboard while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
· Violation of 19 U.S.C. § 70 - Falsifying statements to a Federal Law Enforcement Officer.
“The Coast Guard, along with state and local law enforcement agencies will continue to actively pursue and enforce all applicable laws to ensure your time on the water is safe and enjoyable,” said Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Yanez, a Coast Guard investigating officer at Sector Miami. “Mariners in control of charter vessels should meet the regulatory safety standards and understand the consequences of disregarding safety violations.”
Information for violating a COTP Order is detailed in 46 U.S.C. 70036, as follows; “failure to comply with a Captain of the Port Order is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $117,608 for each day the vessel is in violation. Willful and knowing violation of a Captain of the Port Order is a class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison (18 U.S.C. 3581) or fines up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization.”
Owners and operators of illegal charters can face civil penalties of $69,000 or more for illegal passenger for hire vessel operations. Some potential civil penalties for illegally operating a passenger vessel include:
· Up to $5,996 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire.
· Up to $9,624 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.
· Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel to verify that their captain has a safety plan and a Merchant Mariner Credential. For larger charter boats or those with more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.
Coast Guard and Partner agencies involved in the weekend’s charter vessel boardings were:
· Coast Guard Sector Miami Boarding Team
· Coast Guard Sector Miami Investigating Officers
· Coast Guard Station Miami Beach
· Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale
· Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team Miami
· Coast Guard Investigative Service
· Coast Guard Seventh Coast Guard District legal
· Homeland Security Investigations
· U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations
· Diplomatic Security Service
· City of Miami Police Department
· Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office
· Coral Gables Police Department
· Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
For additional recreational boating safety information, please visit www.uscgboating.org.
For more information on passenger vessels and bareboat charters follow Sector Miami’s Uninspected passenger vessels & bareboat charter community on Facebook. Anyone with information regarding an illegal charter is encouraged to contact CGIS here or download the CGIS Tips app. For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
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