MIAMI — Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale crews terminated nine illegal charter voyages, Saturday and Sunday, in Fort Lauderdale waterways.
All nine vessels were cited for safety violations and issued Captain of the Port Orders.
Violations issued during the boardings consisted of:
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 16.201 - Failure to have a chemical testing program (drug and alcohol program).
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 25.25-5 - Failure to ensure Type I personal flotation devices for all persons aboard while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
- 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. 67.325 - Failure to have a properly endorsed Certificate of Documentation.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.401(a) - Failure to employ appropriately credentialed mariner.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 515(c) - Failure to have credentialed mariner in control while operating as a small passenger vessel.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.605 - Failure to have credentialed mariner in control while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100(a) - Failure to have a valid Certificate of Inspection.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100(b) - Failure to comply with Certificate of Inspection.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 180.71 - Failure to have Type I personal flotation devices for all persons aboard while operating as a small passenger vessel.
- Violation of 19 USC 70 - Falsifying information to a federal law enforcement officer.
"Ensuring the safety of our maritime community is a shared responsibility,” said Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Yanez. “Anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel should always verify that their captain can produce the appropriate credentials before embarking on any voyage. Likewise, charter vessel captains must comply with all regulatory standards to maintain the highest levels of safety for their passengers, crew, and the broader maritime community."
The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel to verify their captain has 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.
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.
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.
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