Illegal Charter Stopped Near Julia Tuttle Causeway: Coast Guard

Miami FL

14 December, 2020

9:30 AM

Description

MIAMI, FL — The illegal charter of the 53-foot cabin cruiser, Nolina II, was stopped Saturday near the Julia Tuttle Causeway in Miami, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release. The crew from a Coast Guard special purpose craft law enforcement team conducted a boarding of the Nolina II. Ten people were aboard and eight were passengers for hire. It was operating as an illegal small passenger vessel, the Coast Guard said. The yacht's voyage was terminated and it was cited for the following violations: not having a valid certificate of inspection,not having a credentialed mariner in control while operating a small passenger vessel,failure to have a drug and alcohol program,failure to have a valid stability letter,failure of employee to hire mariner without appropriate merchant mariner credentials.failure to ensure there are appropriate number of life jackets for persons on board and that life jackets comply with the law andfailure to have a certificate of documentation on a vessel over 5 net tons. "Before getting underway, ask to see the captain's credentials, vessel inspection certificate, and safety plan," said Lt. Jody Stiger, marine investigator at Coast Guard Sector Miami. "Always make sure the charterer signs a bareboat charter agreement and has a copy prior to stepping aboard." Owners and operators of illegal passenger vessels can face maximum civil penalties of $60,000 or more for illegal passenger-for-hire-operations. Charters that violate a captain of the port order can face more than $95,000 in fines.