Coast Guard Cracks Down on Illegal Florida Charters

The recent crackdown is part of a sustained multi-agency effort to combat dangerous and unlicensed charter operations that put passengers at significant risk. Violations frequently include the lack of a valid Certificate of Inspection, failure to employ a credentialed mariner, and not having a drug and alcohol program. Operators of illegal charters face substantial financial penalties. Civil penalties can exceed $69,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations, with fines of up to $117,608 per day for violating a Captain of the Port Order. In one case near Destin, a pontoon boat operator was hit with a $98,364 civil penalty for repeated violations. Repeat offenders are a significant problem in South Florida. The vessel "Second Wind" was cited for violating a Captain of the Port Order on at least three separate occasions, while another yacht, "The Round," was also cited for multiple violations of a similar order. These enforcement actions often involve vessels with a history of non-compliance. For instance, the owner of the "EPIC II," a 54-foot cabin cruiser, was found to be violating a federal Captain of the Port Order that had been issued in October 2025. The crackdown isn't limited to yachts; it includes various watercraft. In one operation near the Julia Tuttle Causeway, a 37-foot pontoon, a 20-foot recreational boat, and a 55-foot pontoon named "Mothership" were all terminated for illegal operations. Tragically, these regulations are in place to prevent serious accidents. In a 2018 incident involving an illegal charter on the 91-foot "Miami Vice," a passenger was killed by the boat's propellers, highlighting the grave dangers posed by unqualified and illegal operators. The Coast Guard urges any potential charter customers to protect themselves by asking to see the captain's Merchant Mariner Credential. For vessels carrying more than six passengers, passengers should also ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection before boarding.