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Florida Mariner Fined $100,000 for Illegal Charter

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Capt Ralph, Feb 14, 2023.

  1. Capt Ralph, Feb 14, 2023
    #1
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    illegal-charter-destin-florida.jpg
    Coast Guard Station Destin boarding team members and Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office officers terminated the illegal passenger-for-hire operation after determining the vessel was carrying more than 6 passengers without a valid Certificate of Inspection Destin, Florida, April 10, 2022. U.S. Coast Guard Photo

    Florida Mariner Fined $100,000 for Illegal Charter
    Mike Schuler
    February 14, 2023


    The U.S. Coast Guard has imposed a hefty civil penalty of nearly $100,000 to a mariner found operating an illegal charter vessel near Destin, Florida.

    The pontoon vessel had been boarded multiple times over the past year by Coast Guard Station Destin boarding teams, Sector Mobile Marine Investigators and Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office officers after receiving tips from concerned members of the public.

    A Coast Guard Sector Mobile’s Investigations Division investigation determined that on multiple occasions the operator of the vessel was in violation of federal laws, including failure to provide a Certificated of Inspection while carrying more than six passengers for hire (46 C.F.R. 176.100(a)) and failure to comply with a Captain-of-the-Port Order (33 C.F.R. 160.105).

    A Coast Guard Hearing Officer imposed a $98,364 civil penalty.

    “Operators of illegal charters directly endanger our citizens,” said Capt. Ulysses Mullins, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile. “It is a top priority for Sector Mobile to ensure charter vessels operate safely and in full compliance with the law. The Coast Guard, along with our state and local law enforcement partners, will continue to educate the public and vigorously pursue those individuals who violate the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act.”

    Owners and operators of illegal passenger vessels may be subject to civil penalties of $60,000 or more for illegal passenger-for-hire-operations. Charters that violate a Captain-of-the-Port Order may be subject to civil penalties of $95,000 per violation.
  2. Pascal, Feb 14, 2023
    #2
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    Unfortunately these are the maximum proposed fines which always end up being bargained down to a slap on the wrist….

    the only time when severe penalties incl jail time occur is with repeated violation of a captain of the port order
  3. Capt Ralph, Feb 14, 2023
    #3
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The comments that the vessel has been boarded a few times before does not mean past fines but he was ordered by the port captain to stop his chartering before this last event.

    Lock his asp up...