PORTSMOUTH, Va. — As part of Operation Safe Voyage, the Coast Guard is increasing its on‑water presence across the East District to promote safe recreational boating and ensure passenger‑for‑hire operations comply with federal law throughout the Labor Day weekend.
Operation Safe Voyage is a district-wide initiative designed to protect the public by identifying and stopping illegal passenger vessel operations that bypass required safety standards and credentialing and create serious risks to life, property, and the marine environment.
Throughout the holiday weekend, Coast Guard crews will conduct targeted safety boardings, verify passenger‑for‑hire compliance, and engage directly with boaters to help prevent accidents and illegal charter activity.
Crews will be carrying out focused operations including:
- Conducting underway safety boardings to check for life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, and other required emergency equipment.
- Inspecting vessels suspected of operating as illegal charters and verifying captain credentials and passenger counts.
- Reviewing charter contracts during boardings when necessary to determine compliance.
- Providing real‑time boating safety guidance to operators on the water.
- Supporting investigations when potential illegal operations are identified.
- Coordinating with local law enforcement partners to broaden coverage and respond quickly to unsafe conditions.
An illegal charter is any passenger‑for‑hire operation that violates federal safety regulations, such as operating without a Coast Guard‑credentialed captain, carrying more paying passengers than allowed, or lacking a required Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection. These operations often fail to provide basic lifesaving gear and may leave passengers unaware of the danger until an emergency occurs.
Federal penalties for illegal chartering are significant. Operators who continue after being ordered to stop face civil penalties of up to $117,608 per day while the vessel remains in violation. A willful or knowing violation is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and substantial fines.
Common violations can result in penalties including:
- Up to $5,996 for failing to provide a required Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.
- Up to $9,624 for failing to enroll operators in a drug and alcohol testing program.
- Up to $20,468 for failing to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on the water to take simple steps to verify their safety:
- Ask to see the captain’s Merchant Mariner Credential.
- Confirm if the vessel is permitted to carry more than six paying passengers and request the Certificate of Inspection if applicable.
- Review any charter contract to ensure you can choose your own captain and crew.
- Be cautious of unusually low prices, which may signal an unlicensed or unsafe operation.
Anyone with information about illegal charters is encouraged to contact the National Response Center at 1‑877‑24WATCH. For immediate danger to life or property, call 911 or contact the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16.
- USCG -