US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco investigators carried out an operation with local law enforcement throughout the course of a week, in order to terminate unlicensed and illegal charter boat operations in Lake Tahoe.
Over 150 vessels were boarded, while six illegal charter boats were discovered, cited, and terminated due to violations:
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. § 176.100(a) for not having a valid Certificate of Inspection;
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. § 16.201 for failure to have a drug and alcohol program;
- Violation of 46 C.F.R. § 15.805 for failure to operate a passenger vessel with a Coast Guard license.
The primary goal of this operation was to ensure passenger and crew safety
stated Lt. Andrew Cole, Sector San Francisco Investigating Officer.
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According to USCG, before starting operations with passengers-for-hire, the captain must hold the appropriate US Coast Guard license and the captain and crew must be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.
If carrying more than six passengers, at least one-for-hire, the vessel must also have a valid US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.
What is more, if businesses are conducting bareboat charter rentals, then:
- A maximum of 12 passengers plus the charterer are allowed on the vessel, not including crew;
- The vessel can be crewed so long as the captain and the crew are not provided by or paid through the original rental company agreement;
- The company may provide a list of suggested captains, but the charterer has the right to go outside that list and choose their own captain.