The US Coast Guard announced that it terminated the voyage of a vessel violating small passenger laws and regulations in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, on Saturday. This constitutes the eighth illegal passenger vessel voyage termination on Lake of the Ozark since 4 June 2018.
A USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River 29-foot Response Boat-Small law enforcement boatcrew conducted a boarding on a 26-foot rental pontoon and determined the vessel was operating with passenger counts exceeding the legal limit of 12, with no crew provided by the rental company.
The basic laws and definitions governing charter services can be found in Title 46 United States Code 2101(35) and Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 175.400.
Anyone planning to hire a charter vessel is encouraged to ask to see the vessel operator’s valid credentials or proof of required inspection or examination. Illegal charters endanger vessel passengers and other mariners.
The investigation is underway, the USCG informed.
