SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A Coast Guard Station San Juan law enforcement team terminated a bareboat charter voyage, Friday, after it violated a federal Captain of the Port Order to cease any illegal charter operations, off Villa Marina.
The 32-foot vessel Island Reef had nine people aboard and it was determined it didn’t meet the criteria for a legal bareboat charter. The vessel was previously issued a COTP on Jan. 11.
“Coast Guard Sector San Juan continues its enforcement efforts against illegal passenger vessel operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, prioritizing maritime safety and regulatory compliance,” said Senior Investigative Officer Eric Santos, Sector San Juan. “Our intensity over the past year yielded 12 vessel terminations, multiple violations, and four Captain of the Port Orders, underscoring the Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting passengers and ensuring vessel operators adhere to federal safety standards.”
Information for violating a COTP Order is detailed in 46 U.S.C. 70036, as follows; “failure to comply with a Captain of the Port Order is punishable by a civil penalty of up to $117,608 for each day the vessel is in violation. Willful and knowing violation of a Captain of the Port Order is a class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison (18 U.S.C. 3581) or fines up to $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for an organization.”
Violations included:
Owners and operators of illegal charters can face maximum civil penalties of $69,000 or more for illegal passenger for hire vessel operations. Some potential civil penalties for illegally operating a passenger vessel include:
Up to $5,996 for failure to provide a Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection for vessels carrying more than six passengers for hire.
Up to $9,624 for failure of operators to be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.
Up to $20,468 for failure to produce a valid Certificate of Documentation for vessels over 5 gross tons.
The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a vessel to verify their captain has a merchant mariner credential and is compliant with safety measures, such as having enough lifejackets for those going aboard. For larger charter boats or those carrying more than six passengers, ask to see a Coast Guard issued certificate of inspection in addition to the merchant mariner credential. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not get on the boat.
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