Click for Glendinning Click for Nordhavn Click for Nordhavn Click for Ocean Alexander Click for Northern Lights

More illegal charter crackdown

Discussion in 'Yacht Captains' started by Pascal, Jan 9, 2019.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    There going to luv him in Club Fed.
    They may find humor in a TWERK name.
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    His choice of names fits right in with his method of operating.
  3. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
    Good.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    The fines are still woefully inadequate which is why you've gotten some who just considered them a calculated risk or even a cost of doing business. Now, banning from all water for three years gets closer, but I wouldn't bet on the repeat offender staying off the water.
  5. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,118
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    The fines as initially announced add up to close to $50k in each case but I wonder if they are later reduced and negotiated down once the **** lawyers get involved.
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Even the full fine only takes a couple or a very few charters to recover. Some accept as a cost of doing business.
  7. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Good news, another caught.

    Hmm, a couple of charters to recover $50?
    Once the scumbags are on the radar, or in jail, it would be hard to continue the program.
    If they really want to run charters and if the profit is so great, why not go legal and sleep good at night..?
    Not rocket science: A good boat, a Captain's License, an LLC, a webpage, etc.
    I did it with minimum pain and suffering, and I am lazy as can be..:cool:
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    You're not carrying 22 passengers. Some of them are also offering extra services you don't offer.
  9. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    No, not carrying 22 pax, but If I wanted to go rogue I sure could. As far as extra services, sure break the law and you can run a whore house and serve moonshine on your wannabe charter boat.
  10. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Which is what some of these do. The first time they're caught and fined, it gets reduced. Second time it gets very serious. I won't be at all surprised even after being banned from the waters to see some of them reemerge. Then, hopefully even more punishment.

    I so strongly dislike what they do as they try to convince people it's harmless but then lives are jeopardized and lost. I compare it to all the substandard charter buses on which groups of people have lost their lives. You're so right about it not being rocket science to do it legally, but some people just have no interest in doing so. The legal charter party boats are charging about $1000 per hour. Some of these boats are collecting more though in not chartering the entire boat to one person but charging each person individually to come party.
  11. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,118
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    $50k in fines can not be recovered... do the math. The average rate for a day charter on a 50/60 footer is around $3 to $4k... these boats dont do more than 40 to 50 day charters a year. It s a crowded market down here.
  12. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
  13. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    These guys are still in business: The sign on the seawall says Boat Rental, call this #.
    (No-Name Harbour, Key Biscayne)
    The Boat Rental part may be an angle on the Bare Boat Charter rules: Rent the boat, rent a Captain, but the Captain can not be the owner, otherwise you are OUV.
    They are probably in bed with the bar/restaurant right there called Boaters Grill.
    Or the tub may be completely legit, but heard otherwise.
    No OUV stickers...

    Attached Files:

  14. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale

    Attached Files:

  15. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2008
    Messages:
    8,118
    Location:
    Miami, FL
    I have to wonder what it took for the state park to allocate them the space on the bulkhead considering how limited space is there.

    He was here at Dinner Key for a while and there were many complaints about drunk obnoxious guests... I believe it is the owner who runs the boat, definitely more than 6 pax on board pretty much all the time

    as to the sticker, afaik it s a courtesy inspection, not mandatory.
  16. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Yup, volunteer inspection.
    Do it every year on my boats.
    Free, painless and nobody bother you when displaying these stickers.
  17. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
    Hmmmm, I have been boarded for routine safety inspections with a loud and clear safety inspection sticker displayed. That said, it was quick and courteous.
  18. Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    2,904
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Ouch, you are busting my bubble..
  19. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2015
    Messages:
    969
    Location:
    Chesapeake Bay
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.