In keeping with their duty to enforce maritime law, the Coast Guard Sector Miami recently put an abrupt end to three illegal charter voyages that were operating near the Julia Tuttle Causeway. The halted voyages involved a variety of vessels, including a 37-foot pontoon, a 20-foot recreational craft, and a larger 55-foot pontoon known as the Mothership. According to a press release from the Coast Guard, these interceptions were a direct response to breaches of federal safety regulations and orders.
Amid the litany of violations, the enforcement actions were notably prompted by the failure to comply with active Captain of the Port (COTP) orders. This oversight left the owners in position to possibly face severe penalties, including hefty fines up to $117,608 for each day a vessel is found to be in violation. Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Yanez, in a statement obtained by the Coast Guard news release, emphasized the critical nature of adherence to such regulations: “We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time on the water, but that experience must never come at the expense of safety.”
Other infractions cited by the Coast Guard included lack of a drug and alcohol program, shortage of personal flotation devices and fire extinguishers, as well as missing lifebuoys and an absence of properly credentialed mariners. Documentational shortcomings were also highlighted, such as vessels not displaying the required registration numbers and failing to carry necessary registration documents onboard…