ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Coast Guard and partner agencies are stepping up enforcement of illegally operated passenger boats in the Tampa Bay area this weekend.
The Tampa Bay continues to be a high-risk area for the illegal and unsafe operation of passenger boats less than 100 tons. Many passengers are still unaware of the safety requirements regulated by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard reminds the public to check safety requirements before paying for any boating services.
“People have the right to know they are paying for a safe voyage before handing over their money,” said Coast Guard Lt. Bobby Gay, Sector St. Petersburg’s investigations division chief. “All they have to do is ask their captain.”
Whenever a passenger pays to be on board a boat someone else is operating, the operator, “captain”, is required by law to have a merchant mariner’s credential. If there are seven or more people on the boat, the boat is classified as a Small Passenger Vessel and the boat is required to be inspected by the Coast Guard.
Captains of passenger boats are also required to have their credential readily available to produce upon request, and, if operating an SPV, a certificate of inspection should be visually displayed. This includes captains using smart phone apps to provide boating services.
If the Coast Guard comes across a passenger boat operating illegally and/or unsafely, the voyage will be terminated and captains operating illegally are subject to civil penalties up to $35,000.
“You wouldn’t get on a commercial plane with an unlicensed pilot,” said Gay. “You have the same right to be safe on a passenger boat.”
For more information on passenger vessel requirements, and to verify any captain’s credentials visit the National Maritime Center’s website at: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/