Coast Guard halts illegal charter operation in Baker's Haulover Inlet

News Release

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 halts illegal charter operation in Baker's Haulover Inlet

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of the 20-foot pleasure craft, Like I Care, with nine passengers-for-hire aboard Sunday in Baker's Haulover Inlet after discovering multiple safety violations.

A Coast Guard Station Station Miami Beach 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement crew conducted a boarding of the vessel and discovered the following violations:

• Violation of 46 C.F.R. 16.201 for failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
• Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.515(b) for failure to have a credentialed mariner in control.
• Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100(a) for not having a valid Certificate of Inspection.
• Violation of 46 C.F.R. 170.120 for failure to have a valid stability letter. 

“Paying customers need to know that commercial charter operators must have a licensed crew, properly certificated vessel and a charter contract that meets all Code of Federal Regulation Requirements before sailing,” said Cmdr. Bradley Clare, Coast Guard Sector Miami chief of prevention. "Charters that aren't operated under the proper regulations can put passengers in unnecessary danger and are subject to fines and potential civil penalties." 

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels 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 be under the control of an individual with the appropriate Coast Guard license.
• Up to $7,250 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.

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