BARNEGAT LIGHT – During a safety boarding near Barnegat Light, the Coast Guard stopped a small passenger vessel from operating due to its violation of a Captain of the Port (COTP) Order, officials said.
According to the Coast Guard, the COTP Order issued against the commercial vessel “prohibited the carriage of paying passengers unless it was operated under the direction and control of an individual holding the appropriate Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).”
On June 12, the Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light discovered the acting captain, also known as master, of the commercial boat did not meet the regulatory requirements to serve as the master.
It was confirmed that the boat was not in compliance and as a result its voyage was terminated for violating the standing COTP Order.
“Credentialed mariners are entrusted with the safety and security of commercial vessels, and the Coast Guard remains steadfast in its commitment to fairly enforce the rule of law while prioritizing the well-being of all individuals on the water and the overall Marine Transportation System,” said Capt. Roberto Rivera, alternate COTP, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay and Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light cited the violation and terminated the voyage due to unsafe conditions.
The violation included: Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 15.515(c), failure of vessel to be operated under direction and control of an individual holding the appropriate Coast Guard MMC.
The Coast Guard would like to note that before launching that your own passenger for hire operation, it is important to meet the following requirements:
The captain must hold the appropriate U.S. Coast Guard license.
The captain and crew must be enrolled in a drug and alcohol program.
If carrying more than six passengers, with at least one for hire, then the vessel must also have a valid Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.
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 specified or 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.
The vessel’s registered owner or direct representative may not be onboard in any capacity while the vessel is rented (chartered) by a charterer.
To report potential illegal passenger vessel operations, contact the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center at 215-271-4940 or through CGIS Tips (Tip Form p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878#).
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