FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA) — An illegal charter voyage was terminated on Saturday after the yacht’s owner was cited for multiple violations, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday.
The Coast Guard said the 42-foot motor yacht was determined to be in violation of an active federal Captain of the Port Order that was issued on May 6.
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The following violations were issued during the boarding near San Carlos Bay, according to the USCG:
Failure to comply with an active COTP Order.
Failure to have a valid Certificate of Inspection.
Failure to have an inspected passenger vessel under the command of a credentialed mariner.
Failure to have a valid Certificate of Documentation endorsed for Coastwise trade
Failure of the crew to be enrolled in a drug testing consortium.
“Illegal passenger vessel operations pose a serious risk to public safety because passengers often have no idea the vessel lacks required safety inspections, properly credentialed mariners, or lifesaving protections mandated by federal law,” said Brian Knapp, chief of investigations at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “The Coast Guard will continue to aggressively investigate and terminate unsafe operations to protect the boating public and ensure commercial passenger vessels comply with all applicable safety and mariner credentialing requirements.”
The Coast Guard said anyone paying for a trip on a vessel should verify that the captain has a safety plan and a merchant mariner credential.
Anyone on a larger charter boat with more than six passengers should ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection.
“If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat,” the Coast Guard said.
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