PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard halts illegal charter operation near Fort Lauderdale

united states coast guard 

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 near Fort Lauderdale

Coast Guard halts illegal charter operation near Fort Lauderdale

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of the 47-foot catamaran, Shared Adventure, with seven passengers aboard Sunday in the vicinity of Fort Lauderdale for conducting an illegal charter.

A Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew conducted the boarding of the Shared Adventure 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. 176.100(A), not having a valid Certification of Inspection
  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 170.120, failure to have a Stability Letter issued before the vessel is placed in service
  • Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.515, failure to have appropriate merchant mariner credential

“Illegal charters violate the safety of people’s lives at sea within the maritime domain and the safety of lives at sea is our top priority,” said Lt. j.g. Peter Hutchinson, executive officer of Station Fort Lauderdale. “Before you step aboard, get underway or even pay for a chartered vessel, ask the captain to see his or her credentials, inspection certificate and vessel safety plan. You have the right to see these items, because you are putting your life at risk and in danger when you get underway on a vessel without a properly credentialed mariner. That risk isn’t worth your life.”

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face maximum civil penalties of over $59,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations. Some potential fines for illegally operating a charter vessel are:

  • Up to $18,943 for failure of an inspected vessel to be under the control of an individual with the appropriate Coast Guard license.
  • Up to $7,710 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a chemical testing program.
  • Up to $4,803 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers.
  • Up to $16,398 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
  • Up to $12,007 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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-USCG-