Last weekend, the Coast Guard at Station Fort Lauderdale took action against a proliferation of illegal charter operations in the Fort Lauderdale waterways, halting nine voyages squarely in their tracks due to multiple safety infractions. The U.S. Coast Guard cited these vessels predominantly for a variety of safety violations and did not hesitate to issue Captain of the Port Orders to the errant operators.
Among the violations found, the failure to have a drug and alcohol program as per 46 C.F.R. 16.201 and the lack of appropriate personal flotation devices required by 46 C.F.R. 25.25-5 stood out. A list of the infractions included failure to have a valid Certificate of Documentation for coastwise trade, absence of appropriately credentialed mariners in control while operating as both uninspected and small passenger vessels, among others, and even cases of falsifying information to federal law enforcement.
As stated in a press release provided by the U.S. Coast Guard's official news site, Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Yanez highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in maritime security, encouraging customers to check the proper credentials of their captains. He also reminded charter vessel operators of their duty to follow regulatory standards to ensure the highest levels of safety for passengers, crew, and the wider maritime community.
Penalties for non-compliance with Captain of the Port Orders are severe, with civil charges climbing up to $117,608 per day of violation, and deliberate violations potentially leading to class D felony charges, warns the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard further advises potential charter users on measures to ensure their safety, such as confirming that their captain holds a Merchant Mariner Credential and, for larger boats or those with more than six passengers, asking to view a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection.
Owners and operators who flout the law face steep civil penalties starting at $69,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire vessel operations. Specific financial consequences include fines up to $5,996 for lacking a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection and up to $20,468 for not producing a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels exceeding 5 gross tons. Concerned citizens and passengers are also empowered to report illegal charters to the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) through their dedicated channels.
