CG, OB police halt illegal charter

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and the Orange Beach (Ala.) Police department terminated the voyage of an illegal charter boat near the Baldwin County town on May 23. OBP contacted Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., with concerns of a suspected illegal passenger-for-hire operation in the area after seeing multiple advertisements on social media. CG law enforcement officers, patrolling with Orange Beach Police, boarded a 21-foot vessel and found paying passengers aboard. The captain had no valid Merchant Mariner’s License, no current vessel registration, and no business license. The voyage was terminated and the vessel was escorted back to port. Under federal law, owner/operators of illegal charter vessels can face civil penalties of more than $59,000. “Illegal charter boats place passengers in great danger,” said Capt. LaDonn Allen, sector commander. “The safety of the boating public is our top priority and along with our partners (OB Police), we are dedicated to stopping this illegal activity and ensuring the appropriate penalties are applied.” The CG urges anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel to verify there is a safety plan and a credentialed operator.” If an operator can’t produce appropriate credentials, passengers should not board the boat. (Source: Coast Guard 05/23/20)