The Coast Guard says on the weekend following July 4 they terminated a boat operating illegally in the waters off of Marco Island.
According to the Coast Guard, Investigating Officers initially discovered the 23-foot boat advertising on social media and determined that it was not operating in accordance with regulations governing passenger vessels.
A Coast Guard boat stationed in Fort Myers and a small law enforcement crew found the boat operating a commercial passenger service and was not in compliance with multiple regulations governing passenger vessels.
The following violations were noted during the boarding:
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100 (a) for not having a valid Certificate of Inspection.
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. 15.515 (b) 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.
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.