USCG, partners terminate illegal boat charter operations

During the past two weeks, the US Coast Guard and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) boarded 39 boats in the Chicago area, terminating the voyages of 22 vessels for conducting illegal charter operations on Lake Michigan and the Illinois River. 

The operators of the terminated operations had administrative controls placed on their vessels with Captain of the Port (COTP) Orders by the Coast Guard. The orders directed those boats to immediately cease operating as commercial passenger vessels, until they comply with all federal laws and regulations. 

In addition to the Captain of the Port Orders, the Coast Guard issued multiple Notice of Violation citations totaling more than $50,000, while IDNR issued 14 misdemeanor charges including obstruction of justice.

“The increased deterrent operations are part of ongoing efforts this summer to ensure safety to passengers and combat boat owners and operators who are illegally chartering or renting their boats to passengers for trips out on Chicago’s waterways”, USCG pointed out.

A Certificate of Inspection onboard the boat, or the operator’s license, shows a vessel has met the minimum Coast Guard safety standards in areas such as firefighting, life saving and navigation equipment requirements. It also sets the maximum number of passengers the vessel can carry.

In addition to joint operations with IDNR, the Coast Guard is also educating passengers looking to charter a boat or pay for a seat aboard a boat. When reserving trips, prospective passengers are encouraged to ask the operator in advance for proof the vessel is compliant with Coast Guard requirements. More boat owners are advertising their vessels for hire through boat sharing websites and mobile apps and are unaware of the risks and regulations for charter boats.

“Our joint efforts with IDNR are helping to eliminate unsafe vessels and unlicensed operators that do not comply with state and Coast Guard regulations from operating on our shared waterways”, said Cmdr. Zeita Merchant, commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Chicago.

USCG notes that failure to comply with the COTP order can result in a civil penalty of up to $90,000 per day of continued operation, up to a total fine of $250,000. Continued violation is a class D felony and can lead to up to ten years in jail.