58 FOGHORN U.S. COAST GUARD T he U.S. Coast Guard is warn- ing the boating public about the life-threatening risks and legal consequences of illegal charter op- erations throughout the East District. An illegal charter is any passen- ger-for-hire boat operation that vio- lates federal safety regulations. This includes operating without a captain who holds a valid merchant mariner credential, carrying more paying passengers than the vessel is certified to hold or lacking a required Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection. Recently, Coast Guard crews in Maryland responded when a 35-foot vessel was discovered operating as a suspected illegal charter near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. After ini- tially terminating the boat’s voyage because it lacked an adequate number of life jackets, investigators confirmed the operator was unlawfully carrying paying clientele and issued a captain of the port order to immediately halt operations and mitigate risk. “Too often, illegal charters put passen- gers on the water with an unlicensed captain, an uninspected vessel—or both—and passengers may have no idea until something goes wrong,” said Rear Adm. Zeita Merchant, com- mander of the Coast Guard East Dis- trict. “Our top priority is protecting the public and supporting safe, legal passenger-for-hire operations on our waterways and ensuring anyone who pays to board a boat gets home safely. That means holding illegal operators accountable and giving passengers the information they need to recognize a legal operation before they ever leave the dock.” Federal law imposes steep penalties on illegal charter operators who con- tinue operating after being ordered by the Coast Guard to stop. Violators face civil penalties of up to $117,608 for each day the vessel remains in violation, and a willful or knowing violation is a felony punishable by up to six years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization. Potential penalties 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 testing program • Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid certificate of documentation for vessels over five gross tons Unlawful charters often lack sufficient life jackets, working fire extinguish- ers, flares or a credentialed crew. The growing use of boat-sharing websites and mobile apps has made it easier than ever for unlicensed operators to advertise directly to the public, and many passengers don’t realize their trip is illegal until a Coast Guard or law en- forcement crew boards the vessel. Before paying for or boarding a char- ter vessel, the Coast Guard urges the public to: • Ask for credentials Request to see the captain’s merchant mariner credential before handing over payment. • Check passenger limits A vessel carrying more than six paying passengers must have a valid Coast Guard certificate of inspection, typically displayed as a sticker on the vessel. • Review who’s in the contract A legitimate charter lets you choose your own captain and crew; the vessel’s owner should not simply be acting as the operator. • Question a bargain price If a charter’s cost is well below similar offerings in the area, it may be an unlicensed and unsafe operation. Anyone with information regarding illegal charter operations is encour- aged to contact the National Re- sponse Center at 1-877-24WATCH (1-877-249-2824). For immediate dan- ger to life or property, dial 911 or call the Coast Guard on VHF-FM marine channel 16. U.S. COAST GUARD Coast Guard Issues Warning About Dangers of Illegal Charters
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