Coast Guard Halts Vessel In Florida As Illegal Charter
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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The owner of a local yacht could be in hot water.
The Coast Guard halted the voyage of the 48-foot pleasure craft with 18 people aboard in the Miami River after discovering several safety violations.
A Coast Guard news release Saturday said the vessel Blessed had more paying passengers aboard than it was certified to carry.
The boat also did not have a valid certificate of inspection and did not have a credentialed mariner in control.
Authorities say passengers that participate in an illegal charter boat are breaking the law and can be taking personal risks. Some deaths have resulted from similar charters.
The owner and operator of the Blessed faces maximum civil penalties of more than $41,000 for an illegal passenger-for-hire operation.
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)