{"id":233165,"date":"2026-04-15T19:44:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T19:44:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/233165\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T19:44:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T19:44:07","slug":"coast-guard-terminates-voyage-of-illegal-charter-in-ponce-inlet-united-states-coast-guard-news-press-releases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/233165\/","title":{"rendered":"Coast Guard terminates voyage of illegal charter in Ponce Inlet > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s Note: Click\u00a0here<\/a> to download PADET Jacksonville imagery.<\/p>\n

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville terminated the voyage of an illegal passenger-for-hire operation, Saturday, in Ponce Inlet.<\/p>\n

A Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon boat crew boarded a 49-foot recreational vessel and discovered the vessel being operated illegally as an inspected small passenger vessel with more than six passengers for hire. The vessel owner was issued a second Captain of the Port order preventing commercial vessel operations until in compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations.<\/p>\n

The violations include:<\/p>\n


\n 33 CFR 160.105 \u2013 Failure to comply with an active Captain of the Port Order.
\n 46 CFR 176.100(a) \u2013 Failure to have a valid certificate of inspection.
\n 46 CFR 67.323 \u2013 Operation without documentation. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Coast Guard will not hesitate to hold accountable any operator who jeopardizes lives by failing to comply with passenger vessel safety requirements,\u201d said Lt. j.g. Jack Brown, a Sector Jacksonville law enforcement duty officer. \u201cPassenger vessel operators are expected to adhere to all safety regulations, which are essential to protecting passengers and others on the water.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel to verify their 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. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face maximum civil penalties of over $69,000 for illegal passenger-for-hire operations. Charters that violate a Captain of the Port Order can face a maximum penalty of $117,608. Some potential fines for illegally operating a charter vessel are:<\/p>\n


\n Up to $23,647 for failure to operate a passenger vessel without a merchant mariner credential.
\n Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over five net tons.
\n Up to $9,624 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug testing program.
\n Up to $5,996 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers. <\/p>\n

Anyone suspecting a vessel of violating the law should report the alleged violation to the Coast Guard Investigative Service here<\/a> or download the CGIS Tips app<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For breaking news, follow us on\u00a0X<\/a>. For additional information, find us on\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

-USCG-<\/p>\n