By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–The U.S. Coast Guard terminated an illegal passenger-for-hire voyage on Saturday after discovering a 26-foot pleasure craft operating without proper licensing and safety measures in San Diego Bay.
A Coast Guard boarding team conducted a routine safety inspection and found 11 people on board — 10 passengers who had paid for the trip and one crew member who lacked the required credentials.
Following the inspection, authorities determined that the vessel was functioning as an illegal small passenger vessel. The operator was cited for multiple violations, including failure to carry a valid Certificate of Inspection, operating without a properly credentialed mariner, and lacking a mandatory drug and alcohol testing program.
According to Coast Guard regulations, any vessel carrying more than six paying passengers must meet strict safety requirements. These include having a licensed operator, maintaining a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection, and enrolling crew members in a drug and alcohol testing program.
For those conducting bareboat charters, regulations are also specific: charterers may not carry more than 12 passengers (excluding crew), must be allowed to select their own captain, and cannot have the vessel’s registered owner onboard during the charter. Additionally, any crew provided may not be assigned or paid by the charter company.
Penalties for illegal charter operations can be steep. Violators may face:
- Fines up to $5,996 for operating without inspection certification
- Fines up to $22,647 for lacking a Coast Guard license
- Fines up to $20,468 for engaging in unauthorized coastwise trade
- Fines up to $9,624 for failing to implement a drug testing program
Further, violating a Captain of the Port Order is classified as a Class D felony, carrying potential prison time of up to six years and fines of up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations. Civil penalties can reach as high as $117,608.
“The Coast Guard is committed to ensuring the safety of passengers on the water and will continue to take enforcement action against illegal charters,” said a Coast Guard spokesperson. “Passengers should always verify their captain’s credentials and inquire about the vessel’s safety plan before setting out.”
For more information on recreational boating safety, visit www.boatingsafety.org. Suspected illegal charters in San Diego can be reported to the Joint Harbor Operations Center at (619) 278-7033 or the Coast Guard Investigative Service Tips app.
