MIAMI — Coast Guard Sector Miami law enforcement officers, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, terminated 5 illegal charter voyages, over the weekend, off Rickenbacker Causeway and Lummus Park.
The owner of the vessel EPIC II was reportedly violating active federal Captain of the Port Orders. All 5 vessel voyages were terminated and cited violations.
The officers boarded EPIC II, a 54-foot cabin cruiser, Saturday, and determined they were in violation of a previous COTP Order issued Oct. 23, 2025.
Violations issued during the 5 boardings consisted of:
· Violation of 33 C.F.R. 160.105 - Failure to comply with an 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
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 67.325 - Failure to have a properly endorsed Certificate of Documentation
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 16.203(a)(1) - Failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
· Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.401(a) - Failure to employ a credentialed mariner.
· 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. 15.515(c) - Failure to have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as a small passenger vessel.
· 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 46 C.F.R. 25.25-5 - Failure to ensure Type I PFDs for all persons aboard while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
“Illegal charter operations pose a significant risk to passengers, crews, and the broader maritime community,” said Lt. Jasmine Smith, a Coast Guard Sector Miami investigating
officer. “Our crews and law enforcement partners remain steadfast in enforcing federal maritime regulations, while also holding vessel owners and operators accountable, to ensure the safety of the boating public in South Florida.”
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 vessel to verify the 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, or if they conform to Uninspected Passenger Vessel regulations. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.
Anyone with information regarding illegal charter operations is encouraged to contact CGIS here or download the app.
For additional recreational boating safety information, please visit www.uscgboating.org.
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