Coast Guard Halts Illegal Florida Charters
The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted five illegal charter boat operations in Florida waters recently. The operations were found to be in violation of maritime laws and safety regulations. The enforcement actions are part of an ongoing effort to ensure compliance and passenger safety.
- Civil penalties for operating an illegal charter can be substantial, with the Coast Guard levying fines of over $69,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations and up to $117,608 per day for violating a Captain of the Port Order. Willful violations can even be prosecuted as a Class D felony, leading to prison time and fines up to $500,000 for an organization. - Common violations cited in recent interceptions include not having a valid Certificate of Inspection, failure to employ a properly credentialed mariner, and not having a required drug and alcohol program. For instance, the vessel *EPIC II* was recently cited in Miami for operating in violation of a previously issued Captain of the Port order. - In one recent weekend crackdown in Miami, the Coast Guard, along with federal and state partners, terminated twelve illegal charter operations on Biscayne Bay and the Miami River. Two of the vessels, the motor yacht *Indigo* and the cabin cruiser *Second Wind*, were found to be in violation of active Captain of the Port Orders. - The issue extends beyond just safety regulations; illegal charters create an unfair competitive landscape for legitimate businesses that incur the costs of compliance with federal maritime law. These illegal operations negatively impact Florida's marine recreational fishing industry, which contributes over $12 billion to the state's economy annually. - To combat these illegal operations, the Coast Guard urges potential passengers to be vigilant. They recommend asking to see the captain's Merchant Mariner Credential and, for vessels carrying more than six passengers, the Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection before booking a trip. - The enforcement actions are a multi-agency effort. For example, a mariner operating a pontoon vessel near Destin was fined $98,364 after an investigation involving Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Station Destin, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office, prompted by tips from the public.
