PHOTO RELEASE: Coast Guard halts illegal charter near Monument Island

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 terminates illegal charter operation near Monument Island

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MIAMI — The Coast Guard terminated an illegal charter near Monument Island, Monday after being flagged down by the passengers due to the vessel being disabled. 

A Coast Guard Station Miami Beach 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement crew towed the pleasure craft with eight passengers aboard to Sea Isle Marina, conducted a boarding and found the following violations:  

• 46 C.F.R. 176.100(a) No valid Certificate of Inspection 
• 46 C.F.R. 15.515 for not having a credentialed mariner in control while operating a small passenger vessel
• 46 C.F.R. 16.201 for failure to have a drug and alcohol program 
• 46 C.F.R. 170.120 for failure to have a valid stability letter
• 46 C.F.R. 15.401 for failure to employ an appropriately credentialed mariner

"Always remember to ask your captain for credentials before trusting them with your safety," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Murray, public affairs specialist at Coast Guard 7th District. "While the situation in this particular case was not immediately life-threatening, boating with an unqualified operator can put you in serious danger."

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face maximum civil penalties of over $50,000 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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-USCG-