JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville ended the voyage of an illegal vessel traveling on the St. Johns River on Friday.
A Coast Guard Station Mayport boat crew boarded a 25-foot unregistered recreational vessel and learned the vessel was being operated with passengers for hire.
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Officials said the owner was issued a Captain of the Port order preventing commercial vessel operations until in compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.
The violations include:
- 46 CFR 15.605 – Failure to have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.
- 46 CFR 16.201 – Failure to have a drug and alcohol program.
“The Coast Guard will take decisive action against any operator who puts lives at risk by ignoring passenger vessel safety regulations,” Cmdr. William Hickey said, chief of prevention operations, Sector Jacksonville. “Mariners operating charter vessels must follow regulatory safety standards and understand the consequences of violations, as these rules exist to protect passengers, crews and the maritime public.”
The Coast Guard urged anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to make sure the captain has a safety plan and a Merchant Mariner Credential.
Ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection for larger charter boats or those with more than six passengers.
If the operator can’t show these credentials, you should not get on the boat.
Officials said owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face civil penalties of over $60,000 for illegal operations. Charters that violate a Captain of the Port Order can face a maximum penalty of $111,031.
Some potential fines for illegally operating a charter vessel are:
- Up to $22,324 for failure to operate a passenger vessel without a merchant mariner credential.
- Up to $19,324 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over five net tons.
- Up to $9,086 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug testing program.
- Up to $5,661 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers.