Coast Guard Halts Illegal Charter Operations in Florida
The U.S. Coast Guard halted five illegal charter boat operations in Florida this week. The agency noted that such charters often endanger passengers by lacking the necessary safety equipment and proper licensing. The crackdown is part of an effort to protect consumers and support legitimate, compliant charter businesses in the state.
- Recent enforcement actions across Florida have been extensive; in separate operations, the Coast Guard terminated 12 illegal charters in Miami waters around Biscayne Bay and the Miami River, and another nine in Fort Lauderdale. - Violating a Captain of the Port Order, a directive to cease operations, carries severe financial penalties that can reach up to $117,608 per day. Willful violations can be prosecuted as a Class D felony, which may result in up to six years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization. - Common safety and regulatory violations cited during these crackdowns include the failure to have a valid Certificate of Inspection, which is required for vessels carrying more than six paying passengers, and the absence of properly credentialed mariners in control of the vessel. - Beyond federal orders, operators of illegal charters face a range of civil penalties for specific infractions, including up to $20,468 for not producing a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons and $9,624 for failing to enroll in a required drug and alcohol program. - In one 2023 case, a Destin-based operator of an illegal pontoon boat charter was hit with a civil penalty of $98,364 following an investigation prompted by tips from the public. - The legitimate recreational marine industry is a significant driver for Florida's economy; in the tri-county region of Southeast Florida alone, the industry had an estimated economic impact of $18.5 billion and supported over 141,000 jobs in fiscal year 2022. - Passengers can verify a charter's legitimacy by asking the captain to see their Merchant Mariner Credential and, for vessels carrying more than six passengers, requesting to see the Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection.
