Five illegal charters were stopped over the weekend in Miami, including one that violated a federal order, Coast Guard officials said.
The charters were stopped off the Rickenbacker Causeway and Lummus Park, officials said. All were terminated and cited violations.
“Illegal charter operations pose a significant risk to passengers, crews, and the broader maritime community,” said Lt. Jasmine Smith, a Coast Guard Sector Miami investigating officer. “Our crews and law enforcement partners remain steadfast in enforcing federal maritime regulations, while also holding vessel owners and operators accountable, to ensure the safety of the boating public in South Florida.”
One of the vessels, a 54-foot cabin cruiser named EPIC II, violated a federal captain of the port order.
Officials said the vessels face several violations, including failure:
To have a certificate of inspection and/or documentation
To have a drug and alcohol program
To employ a credentialed mariner
To have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel
To have a credentialed mariner in control while operating as a small passenger vessel
To have Type I personal flotation devices for all persons aboard while operating as a small passenger vessel
To ensure Type I PFDs for all persons aboard while operating as an uninspected passenger vessel.