MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard and instrumentality enforcement partners unopen down 16 “illegal” charter operations this past play successful the Miami River, Biscayne Bay and adjacent Lummus Park, authorities confirmed Wednesday.
Several vessels, including Isabella, Second Wind, Dolce Vita I and a 26-foot recreational boat, were cited for violating progressive Captain of the Port (COTP) orders and information rules, officials said.
They said each 16 were ordered to instrumentality to port.
The Isabella and Second Wind had antecedently been warned, but continued operating without fixing information problems. Each was recovered successful usurpation of the Passenger Vessel Safety Act, according to investigators.
According to Coast Guard officials, violations included missing beingness jackets, nary licensed skipper connected board, operating without inspection, and falsifying accusation to authorities. One vessel had ignored COTP orders doubly before, portion different was cited conscionable days earlier.
“The Coast Guard, on with authorities and section instrumentality enforcement agencies volition proceed to actively prosecute and enforce each applicable laws to guarantee your clip connected the h2o is harmless and enjoyable,” said Joshua Yanez, a Coast Guard investigating serviceman astatine Sector Miami. “Mariners successful power of charter vessels should conscionable the regulatory information standards and recognize the consequences of disregarding information violations.”
He said amerciable charter operators could look up to $117,000 per time successful fines, oregon adjacent situation clip for repeated violations.
Civil penalties for rider vas violations tin adhd up to $69,000 oregon more.
The Coast Guard reminded the public: earlier boarding, inquire to spot the captain’s licence and Coast Guard inspection certificate if the vessel carries much than six passengers. If they can’t amusement it, don’t get on.
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About the Author
Ryan Mackey
Ryan Mackey is simply a Digital Journalist astatine WPLG. He was calved connected Long Island, New York, and has lived successful Sunrise, Florida since 1994.