MIAMI — Coast Guard Southeast District is leading a campaign, throughout Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, to inform the public of the risks and consequences associated with illegal passenger-for-hire charter operations ahead of Labor Day weekend.
Coast Guard Southeast District crews urge anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to verify their captain has a safety plan and a Merchant Mariner Credential. For charter boats with more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection, which is a sticker commonly displayed on the vessel. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.
Before paying and boarding a charter vessel, ensure:
- The price is ‘right’: If the price for a charter vessel is significantly less than the competition, it might be too good to be true.
- The operator can show you their credentials: Operators who invested the time and resources to gain their certifications should be ready to show their credentials.
- There is compliance advertising: Legitimate businesses typically advertise their compliance with U.S. Coast Guard safety requirements.
- You review the contract: Did the owner allow you to choose your captain and crew? The owner should not be the operator.
Since January 2026, Southeast crews stopped more than 100 illegal charter operations throughout the district, as part of the Coast Guard’s ongoing efforts to protect the maritime public.
"Our primary mission is ensuring the safety of the boating public across the Southeast District,” said Nicolette Vaughan, chief of inspections and investigations, Coast Guard Southeast District. “When passengers step onto an illegal charter, they are placing their lives in the hands of unvetted operators on vessels that have not met federal safety standards. Before you step aboard or pay for a trip, ask to see the captain's Merchant Mariner Credential and verify the vessel’s inspection documentation. Taking five minutes to confirm your charter is legal can prevent a tragedy on the water.”
If a Coast Guard crew terminates the voyage of an illegal charter, then payment made by passengers may not be recovered from the operator.
Boating passengers should understand the safety requirements before paying for charter services. Illegal charter operations often lack the necessary safety equipment and may not meet the same safety standards as legal charters, putting passengers at risk.
A merchant mariner credential is a document issued by the U.S. Coast Guard to mariners with endorsements for deck, engineering, radio operator, or operator of an uninspected vessel. The credential is issued to mariners who have gone through specific training to ensure safe operation on the water and is always required by mariners operating a vessel-for-hire.
Anyone suspecting a vessel of violating the law should report the alleged violation to the Coast Guard Investigative Service here or download the CGIS Tips app.
The Coast Guard Southeast District continues to work alongside our maritime law enforcement partners to identify and halt illegal charter operations that pose a risk to the maritime public.
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