Coast Guard terminates illegal charter voyage near Ana Maria Island > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A Coast Guard Station Cortez regulation enforcement crew terminated an illegal charter vessel that was appearing as a bareboat charter with 11 passengers for rent, Thursday, near Bradenton Beach Marina.
After investigation, Coast Guard officers deemed the 42-foot vessel, She’s Always Rightoperated as an illegal small passenger vessel, terminated the charter’s voyage, and escorted the boat and passengers again to Bradenton Beach Marina.
Violations issued throughout the boarding consisted of:
- Violation of 46 CFR 176.100 (a) – failure to have a sound Certificate of Inspection.
- Violation of 46 CFR 15.515 (b) – for not having a credentialed mariner in management whereas working a small passenger vessel.
- Violation of 46 CFR 16.201 – for failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
- Violation of 46 CFR 67.7 – Failure to have a sound Certificate of Documentation.
“For a bareboat charter to be legally valid, the renter must have complete control over who is at the helm—whether they pilot the vessel themselves or hire a captain of their own choosing,” mentioned Brian Knapp, chief of investigations at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “Once an proprietor dictates which captain the renter should use, it’s now not a bareboat charter.”
“Illegal charter boat operations pose a significant threat to public safety and the integrity of the maritime industry,” mentioned Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “Licensed mariners, inspected vessels, and compliant operators exist because safety standards save lives. When someone ignores those requirements, they bypass the protections the public depends on when they step aboard a vessel. Our ultimate goal is ensuring every passenger, visitor, and mariner returns home safely at the end of the day.”
Owners and operators of illegal charters can face civil penalties of $69,000 or extra for illegal passenger-for-hire vessel operations. Some potential civil penalties for illegally working a passenger vessel embrace:
- Up to $5,996 for failure to supply a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying greater than six passengers for rent.
- Up to $9,624 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.
- Up to $20,468 for failure to supply a sound Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
The Coast Guard urges anybody paying for a visit on a vessel to confirm the captain has a security plan and a Merchant Mariner Credential. For bigger charter boats or these with greater than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection, or in the event that they conform to Uninspected Passenger Vessel rules. If the operator can not produce acceptable credentials, passengers shouldn’t get on the boat.
Anyone with data relating to illegal charter operations is inspired to contact CGIS here or obtain the app.
For extra leisure boating security data, please go to www.uscgboating.org.
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