Space shuttle watchers: Be on lookout for illegal boat charters

FloridaToday: Space shuttle watchers: Be on lookout for illegal boat charters

PORT CANAVERAL — Boaters unauthorized to run charters might see Space Shuttle Atlantis’ launch as an opportunity to make money fast.

They make promises of a prime ocean view of the lift off to passengers, but what they don’t always offer is proof they’re a legitimate operational charter service.

Like the legal charters, they advertise on Craigslist, on roadside signs and in fliers.

But the Coast Guard, which will be looking out for the illegal operators, warns potential passengers to be wary.

“Hiring someone operating a passenger vessel illegally can be very dangerous,” Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Ricks said. “If someone suspects they may be hiring an illegal passenger vessel the best thing to do is not put their lives in jeopardy and walk away.

There are no known illegal charters operating in Brevard County, but Coast Guard officials expect the temptation and the potential will increase for Friday’s scheduled launch of Atlantis, the final shuttle flight.

Coast Guard crews will be out in force with an increased number of crews and boats during the launch, but said they oftentimes hear from passengers after a problem, complaint or a mishap occurs.

“We rely on the public to let us know,” Ricks said. “Usually it’s the result of an accident or someone reporting that a captain was not operating safely.”

But the public may not know what to look for or what to expect from a boat operator.

Capt. Tim Turley, a licensed captain operator who runs charters on his 55-foot sailing vessel Vantage, said charter operators shouldn’t mind fielding questions from their prospective customers.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said. “It’s like anything else in this day and age, if you’re going to have a contractor come to your home, you would ask for their insurance certificate.”

The U.S. Coast Guard web site offers an easy way to verify the status of a captain’s license online.

In addition, captains are required to carry their licenses with them at all times while they have passengers onboard.

“I can pull it out and show it to them at any time,” Turley said. “I wouldn’t be offended. I have to be mindful of the lay person.”

Vantage is advertised on Craigslist for “$850 for approximately four hours of sheer enjoyment.”

Some of those advertised on Craigslist do no give the name of the captain or even a phone contact like Turley and others do. They must be contacted through a reply online.

If a charter is caught illegally carrying passengers for hire, the penalties can be steep.

The operator would be subject to possible civil penalties of up to $35,000 for operating without a license.

There could be other penalties involved if equipment or lifejackets do not meet minimum requirements.

Coast Guard officials said accidents have occurred on charters, which demonstrate the need to know what to do in emergencies, having the right equipment and to make sure passengers know emergency procedures.

A charter boat recently sank off the port. Another had its anchor line wrapped around its propeller while it was under way and drifted into the jetties.

Passengers of charter boats should verify their boat captain is licensed, but they should also be aware of where the fire extinguishers are located, where the life jackets are stored and what to do in the event of an emergency.

There are different classes of licenses, but the general requirements call for documented experience on the water, periodic drug tests, fingerprints, knowledge of first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, references and a physical exam.

There are added requirements for carrying more than six passengers, operating larger boats and going beyond 100 miles.

“The best way for the public to ensure that they have hired a legitimate operator is to ask a few key questions,” Ricks said.

How many passengers is the boat certified to carry?

If the answer is more than six, they should ask to see the vessel’s Certificate of Inspection, which every boat carrying more than six passengers for hire is required to have.

It is evidence of an extensive process that checks the condition, safety equipment and crew competency annually.

If the boat carries fewer than six, then the vessel would qualify as “uninspected passenger vessel.”

At a minimum, potential passengers should ask to see the captain’s Coast Guard license and expect a safety briefing before getting under way.

Ricks said captains must give passengers a safety orientation either by speech or by brochure.

“It’s similar to being on an airplane,” he said.