A 42-foot charter vessel was ordered back to port May 7 after U.S. Coast Guard officers said it was operating illegally near the Bradenton Beach Marina.
According to a news release, a Coast Guard Station Cortez crew terminated the voyage of She’s Always Right for allegedly operating as an illegal passenger vessel under the guise of a bareboat charter and escorted the vessel and passengers back to the marina.
Federal regulations allow bareboat charter renters to take control of a vessel, while small passenger vessels carrying paying customers must meet federal safety, inspection and licensing requirements.
The release said the vessel was allegedly operating as a commercial charter while presenting itself as a bareboat charter to avoid regulations.
Violations included failure to possess a valid certificate of inspection, operating without a credentialed mariner, failure to maintain a drug and alcohol program and failure to have a valid certificate of documentation.
Owners and operators of illegal charter vessels can face civil penalties exceeding $69,000.