Coast Guard halts illegal charter operation near Monument Island

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
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Coast Guard halts illegal charter operation near Monument Island

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of the 60-foot pleasure craft, Quixote, with 15 people aboard Saturday near Monument Island after discovering multiple safety violations.

Coast Guard Station Miami 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew conducted the boarding of the pleasure craft near Marine Stadium where they discovered the following violations:

  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100A for not having a valid Certificate of Inspection.
  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.515B for not having a credentialed mariner in control while operating a small passenger vessel.
  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 16.201 for failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 170.120 for failure to have a valid stability letter. 

"It's very important to us that people are being safe out on the water," said Petty Officer 1st Class Sarah Benton, command duty officer a Coast Guard Sector Miami. "Putting your trust in an operator who's not properly credentialed could be dangerous for everyone involved." 

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face maximum civil penalties of over $58,000 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 $4,685 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.
  • Up to $11,712 for failure to have been issued a valid Stability Letter prior to placing vessel in service with more than six passengers.

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