The U.S. Coast Guard in Miami stopped more than a dozen illegal charters over the weekend and cited some of their operators for repeat violations, according to a news release.
Officers stopped the 13 illegal charters on Biscayne Bay and the Miami River.
Among them were the cabin cruiser The Second Wind and the 98-foot motor yacht The Round.
Authorities boarded the former vessel on Saturday and determined the operator was in violation of a previous order issued Jan. 20, 2023. The Coast Guard said repeat violations occurred Feb. 22 and May 16.
Officers stopped The Round on Sunday and said it was in violation of an order issued Oct. 25, 2023, with another violation occurring March 23.
Video posted on Only In Dade showed several people being escorted off a 42-foot vessel named ‘Magic’ and others detained as federal officers conducted their investigation.
During the 13 boardings, the Coast Guard issued violations for failure to have a valid certificate of inspection, failure to ensure personal flotation devices for all aboard, failure to employ a credentialed mariner, failure to have a drug and alcohol program and more.
According to officials, violating a Captain of the Port Order is punishable by a fee of up to $117,608 for each day the vessel is in violation. A willful and knowing violation is a felony, punishable by up to six year sin prison and fines of up to $500,000.
Meanwhile, owners and operators of illegal charters can face civil penalties of $69,000 or more for illegal passenger-for-hire vessel operations.
The Coast Guard urges any possible charter customers to ensure that the captain has a safety plan, a Merchant Mariner Credential, and for “larger charter boats or those with more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection or if they conform to Uninspected Passenger Vessel regulations. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.”
llegal charter boats are a constant problem, says Capt. Norm Beckoff, who has more than 30 years experience in passenger vessel experience in South Florida.
“I’ve been on the Miami River on the weekend and docked at a restaurant and I’ve seen as many as 50 of these coming out for these 2pm pickups,” said Bekoff. “Busting 13 over the weekend, that’s great work.”
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