A law enforcement crew from U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez recently terminated an illegal charter near Anna Maria Island on the west coast of Florida. On the same day, with assistance from Sarasota Police Department, they also terminated a vessel voyage near Big Sarasota Pass.Illegal passenger-for-hire operations are a persistent and serious challenge for the passenger vessel industry and have been a key focus for PVA over the years. These operations are not only a threat to legal, inspected vessel operations, but pose a grave danger to the public. Illegal charters often operate uninspected vessels, do not employee credentialed mariners, do not to implement mandatory drug-testing programs, and fail to meet other crucial safety standards.
PVA’s sustained advocacy most recently led to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) agreeing in 2025 to a bipartisan request from the leaders of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to conduct a comprehensive federal study of illegal passenger-for-hire operations. This investigation will provide Congress with independent analysis needed to strengthen enforcement and oversight.
The vessels stopped in Florida were both found in violation of 46 C.F.R. 176.100 (a), failure to have a valid certificate of inspection. The vessel near Big Sarasota Pass was also issued a violation of 46 C.F.R. 180.07 which states that an adult life jacket must be provided for each person carried on board a vessel.
In aggregate, owners and operators of illegal charters can face civil penalties of $69,000 or more for illegal passenger-for-hire vessel operations for multiple violations of Federal Regulations. Some potential civil penalties for illegally operating a passenger vessel include:
- Up to $5,996 for failure to provide a Coast Guard certificate of inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire
- Up to $9,624 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program
- Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid certificate of documentation for vessels over five gross tons
The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to verify the captain has a safety plan and a merchant mariner credential. For larger charter boats or those with more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued certificate of inspection, or if they conform to Uninspected Passenger Vessel regulations. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.
Anyone with information regarding illegal charter operations is encouraged to contact CGIS here or download the app.
For additional recreational boating safety information, please visit uscgboating.org.