Coast Guard, Partners Begin Enforcement Operation Targeting Illegal Charters

The US Coast Guard and National Ocean Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement partners are working together to curtail illegal boat charters within the Hawaiian Islands throughout the month of September.

“Coast Guard Sector Honolulu is conducting Operation Kapena Kohole alongside NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement to target and prevent recent cases of sea turtle, monk seal, and dolphin harassment reported from beachgoers and waterborne tours,” said Chief Warrant Officer Omar Perez, Sector Honolulu’s command security officer.

The Coast Guard is dedicated to the prevention of loss of life, injuries and damage to property and the environment on U.S. waterways; in order to ensure passenger safety, there are laws and regulations that the Coast Guard enforces on commercial vessels and their operations.

The state’s various harbors and marinas house a large commercial charter boat fleet. Within these legitimate operators, illegal charters disguise themselves as alternatives for hire, threatening the safety of an unaware public.

Not possessing proper merchant mariner credentials or operating vessels not properly outfitted for commercial use poses a significant risk to public safety and impacts the local economy. The Hawaiian Islands average 9.4 million annual visitors contributing over $16 billion, accounting for 21% of the state’s economy.

The master of the vessel must have appropriate merchant mariners credentials in order to legally operate a vessel with passengers for hire. These credentials show that the operator has met certain proficiency requirements in navigation, seamanship, as well as steering and sailing rules.

“Passengers should refrain from employing charters and tours from captains who do not advertise Coast Guard certification or possess valid merchant mariner credentials,” Perez said. “The credentials must be present at all times on all voyages; the dangers from engaging with unlicensed captains can be life-threatening.”

The Coast Guard urges anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel to verify that their captain has a safety plan and their merchant mariner credentials are up to date. For larger charter boats or those with more than six passengers, ask for a Coast Guard-issued certificate of inspection.

Charter vessels must have a sufficient number of personal flotation devices and other required life-saving equipment on board at all times for all passengers and crew. If the operator cannot produce appropriate credentials or equipment, passengers should not get on the boat.

Owners and operators of illegal charter boats can face up to $27,500 in fines for illegal passenger-for-hire operations.

To report an alleged illegal charter operation, contact the Coast Guard Sector Honolulu Command Center at 808-842-2603 or send an email to scchonolulu@uscg.mil.

For additional recreational boating safety information, visit the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division (CG-BSX-2) at www.uscgboating.org.