PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is warning the boating public about the life-threatening risks and legal consequences of illegal charter operations throughout the East District.
An illegal charter is any passenger-for-hire boat operation that violates federal safety regulations. This includes operating without a captain who holds a valid Merchant Mariner Credential, carrying more paying passengers than the vessel is certified to hold or lacking a required Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.
Recently, Coast Guard crews in Maryland responded when a 35-foot vessel was discovered operating as a suspected illegal charter near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. After initially terminating the boat’s voyage because it lacked an adequate number of life jackets, investigators confirmed the operator was unlawfully carrying paying clientele and issued a captain of the port order to immediately halt operations and mitigate risk.
“Too often, illegal charters put passengers on the water with an unlicensed captain, an uninspected vessel - or both - and passengers may have no idea until something goes wrong,” said Rear Adm. Zeita Merchant, commander of the Coast Guard East District. “Our top priority is protecting the public and supporting safe, legal passenger-for-hire operations on our waterways and ensuring anyone who pays to board a boat gets home safely. That means holding illegal operators accountable and giving passengers the information they need to recognize a legal operation before they ever leave the dock.”
Federal law imposes steep penalties on illegal charter operators who continue operating after being ordered by the Coast Guard to stop. Violators face civil penalties of up to $117,608 for each day the vessel remains in violation, and a willful or knowing violation is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization.
Potential penalties 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 testing program.
- Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
Unlawful charters often lack sufficient life jackets, working fire extinguishers, flares or a credentialed crew. The growing use of boat-sharing websites and mobile apps has made it easier than ever for unlicensed operators to advertise directly to the public, and many passengers don't realize their trip is illegal until a Coast Guard or law enforcement crew boards the vessel.
Before paying for or boarding a charter vessel, the Coast Guard urges the public to:
- Ask for credentials: Request to see the captain's Merchant Mariner Credential before handing over payment.
- Check passenger limits: A vessel carrying more than six paying passengers must have a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection, typically displayed as a sticker on the vessel.
- Review who's in the contract: A legitimate charter lets you choose your own captain and crew; the vessel's owner should not simply be acting as the operator.
- Question a bargain price: If a charter's cost is well below similar offerings in the area, it may be an unlicensed and unsafe operation.
Anyone with information regarding illegal charter operations is encouraged to contact the National Response Center at 1-877-24WATCH (1-877-249-2824). For immediate danger to life or property, dial 911 or call the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Marine Channel 16.
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