b'U.S. COAST GUARDCoast Guard Sector Miami and Partners Stop 12 Illegal ChartersU .S. Coast Guard Sector Mi- end of the day, we want the public toThe Coast Guard urges anyone pay-amilawenforcementoffi- have a safe and enjoyable time on theing for a trip on a passenger vessel to cers, along with federal andwaterbycomplyingwithstateandverify that their captain has a safety statelawenforcementpartnerster- federal regulations. planandaMerchantMarinerCre-minated 12 illegal charter voyages ondential.Forlargercharterboatsor BiscayneBayandMiamiRiveroverInformationforviolatingaCOTPthose with more than six passengers, one weekend in February. Order is detailed in 46 U.S.C. 70036,ask to see a Coast Guard-issued Cer-asfollows;failuretocomplywithtificate of Inspection. If the operator TheownersofthemotoryachtIn- a Captain of the Port Order is pun- cannot produce appropriate creden-digo and cabin cruiser Second Windishablebyacivilpenaltyofuptotials,passengersshouldnotgeton werereportedlyinfederalviolation$117,608 for each day the vessel is inthe boat.of active Captain of the Port Ordersviolation. Willful and knowing viola-(COTP).Tenoutofthe12vesseltion of a Captain of the Port Order isFormoreinformationonpassenger voyages were terminated and cited fora class D felony, punishable by up tovesselsandbareboatchartersfollow various safety violations. six years in prison (18 U.S.C. 3581) orSector Miamis uninspected passenger fines up to $250,000 for an individualvessels & bareboat charter community The 70-foot motor yacht, Indigo, wasor $500,000 for an organization. on Facebook. reportedly operating as an illegal char-ter, with 11 passengers for hire on theOwners and operators of illegal char- Anyonewithinformation regarding vessel,violatingapreviouslyissuedters can face maximum civil penaltiesan illegal charter is encouraged to con-COTP Order from May 2023 for op- of $69,000 or more for illegal passen- tact Coast Guard Investigative Service erating as a bareboat charter without ager for hire vessel operations.here or download the CGIS Tips app.choice of crew.The52-footcabincruiser,Second Wind, was reportedly operating as an illegal charter, with 13 passengers forWe take the heat, hire on the vessel, violating a previous- so you dont have to.ly issued COTP Order from January Cool. Because you need it. We deliver cool based on 2023 for conducting other passengeryour reality. So no matter where you operate, hot days for hire operations.and heavy loads will never slow you down. Passengervesselregulationsare setstandardsforthesafetyofthe crews, their passengers and the public aroundthem,saidLt.j.g.Jasmine Smith,aCoastGuardinvestigatingGRIDCOOLERWEKA OmegaofficeratSectorMiami.MarinersKeel Cooler Boxcooler Laser Plateincontrolofchartervesselsshould meet the regulatory safety standardsfernstrum.com| 1.906.863.5553| sales@fernstrum.com and understand the consequences ofISO 9001:2015disregarding safety violations. At the 2023 R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All rights reserved. FERNSTRUM and GRIDCOOLER are registered trademarks of R.W. Fernstrum & Company. All other trademarks cited are the property of their respective owners.49 MARCH 2025'