MULTIMEDIA RELEASE: Coast Guard, partner agencies crack down on illegal charters

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Sept. 5, 2018

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
After Hours: 786-367-7649
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, partner agencies crack down on illegal charters

The Coast Guard and partner agencies terminated three illegal charter operations in the Key West and Miami areas during Operation PAX Defender, a week long Coast Guard initiative to prevent illegal charter operations. 

Members of Coast Guard Station Miami and the Miami-Dade Police Department board a vessel to make sure that it is in compliance with the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 near Miami, Florida Sept. 1, 2018.  Coast Guard Station Key West 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat crewmembers board a vessel to make sure that it is in compliance with the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 in Key West, Florida Sept. 1, 2018.  Coast Guard Station Miami 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat crewmembers board a vessel to make sure that it is in compliance with the Passenger Vessel Safety Act of 1993 near Miami, Florida Sept. 1, 2018.

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard and partner agencies terminated three illegal charter operations in the Key West and Miami areas during Operation PAX Defender, a week-long Coast Guard initiative to prevent illegal charter operations. 

During the operation, Coast Guard boatcrews from Station Miami Beach and Station Key West terminated illegal charter operations throughout the Coast Guard's 7th District, which included:

  • 20 boardings throughout the Miami area
  • 17 boardings throughout the Key West area
  • A total of 15 violations in Key West and Miami areas
  • Two voyage terminations for illegal charters in Miami
  • One voyage termination for an illegal charter in Key West

"While the results of this surge operation helped highlight the efforts of Coast Guard crews throughout the region, illegal operators of charters should know that our teams are constantly on patrol," said Capt. Megan Dean, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. "We will continue to enforce and hold accountable those who seek to mislead the public and Coast Guard officials with illegal charter operations, and help educate charter passengers and operators on safe and legal charter practices."

In the weekend prior to Operation PAX Defender starting, Miami-based Coast Guard units terminated three separate illegal charter vessels: The Blessed, The Golden Touch II and the It’s All Good.

While Operation PAX Defender was underway, the owner of the 147-foot yacht Golden Touch II was arrested for violating the Captain of the Port Order placed on the vessel after it was operating an illegal charter August 20.

“The Golden Touch II case highlights how seriously the Coast Guard and our partner agencies take illegal charters,” said Capt. Michael Fazio, staff judge advocate, Coast Guard 7th District. “This is more than simple misuse of a private vessel. These owners and operators are putting at risk the lives of the people they embark and will be held legally liable.”

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessel can face maximum civil penalties of $41,456 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations. Some potential fines for illegally operating a charter vessel are:

  • Up to $18,477 for Failure of an inspected vessel to under the control of an individual with the appropriate Coast Guard license.
  • Up to $38,925 for failure to have an uninspected passenger vessel under the control of a properly licensed individual.
  • Up to $7,251 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a chemical testing program.
  • Up to $23,436 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers.
  • Up to $15,995 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.

Assisting in this operation were Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Coast Guard Investigative Services and local law enforcement agencies throughout the Miami and Key West areas.

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