b'PVA WORKING FOR YOUHow PVA Benefits YouBy Jen Wilk, Director, Public AffairsIllegal Charter Enforcement Continues During COVID and Development Updates from the Coast GuardF or years, PVA has been voicingpassenger vessel or charter operations.the concerns of the passengerThis data also shows that even vessel industry, and urging theduring the COVID-19 period Coast U.S.Coast Guard action against theGuard enforcement against illegal dangerous risk to public safety createdcharters has continued. In 2020, thus by commercial passenger vesselfar, there have been 17 enforcement operators who purposely skirt Coastactions and $18,950 civil penalties Guard rules, inspections, and regula- assessed. Additionally, in the last two tory requirements, commonly referredmonths, in Florida alone, the Coast to as illegal charters.As my colleagueGuard has taken action against at least Director of Regulatory Affairs andfive illegal charter operations (links to Risk Management Eric Christensenthe news reports below).mentions in his article in this monthThe Coast Guard terminated the (see page 30), PVA has heard fromvoyage of a 21-foot uninspected members in ports across the countrypassenger vessel with 9 passengers that they are seeing dramatic increasesfor hire near St. Petersburg, Florida in the operation of these illegal charters2020 PVA President Colleen Stephens testifies before a(May 9, 2020)over the past few months during theCongressional Committee in support of the U.S. Coast COVID-19 pandemic. Guard and advocating for safe operations. Credit: Pas- Coast Guard terminated the voyage Most recently, PVA spoke outsenger Vessel Association of the 24-foot pleasure craft, Celebrity, against this proliferation of illegala priority during the COVID-19 period.with 10 people near Miami, Florida charters with Coast Guard seniorFollowing the QP meeting, LCDR(May 24, 2020) leadership at the biannual QualityBaxter Smoak, with the Coast GuardThe Coast Guard detained a 29-foot Partnership (QP) meeting.PVA en- Office of Investigations and Analysis,vessel for hire with eight passengers couraged the Coast Guard to continueprovided PVA with some statisticsnear Tampa, Florida (June 4, 2020) to their enforcement actions as a matterregarding enforcement actions.HeThe Coast Guard terminated the of public safety, even during this timereported that over the past three years,voyage of the 42-foot pleasure craft, of crisis.The Coast Guard has assurednationwide, the Coast Guard has issuedMomentum 2, with 31 people aboard, PVA that enforcement actions against163 violations and assessed $291,676 innear Miami, Florida (June 14, 2020)illegal charters will continue to remainfines for civil penalties related to illegalThe Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a vessel with 15 passen-Number of Total Civil Penalties gers for hire near St. Petersburg, CY Enforcement Activities 1 Assessed Florida (June 20, 2020)2018 74 $157,3502 In response to the recent illegal 2019 72 $115,3762 charters activity in his area, Senior 20203 17 $18,950 Investigating Officer at Coast Guard Sector Saint Petersburg Florida, Brian FOOTNOTES: Knapp stated, The Coast Guard will 1A vessel may receive multiple citations issued to them during a single enforcement activity due to violations of mul- continue to aggressively pursue vessel tiple regulations. This includes warnings and civil penalties (fines). operators who needlessly place the 2In 2018 a single enforcement activity, involving two vessels owned by the same individual operating in the Chicago, ILlives of patrons at risk by not complying area resulted in the issuance of $80,000 (50%) in civil penalties. Similarly, two enforcement activities in 2019 account for more than $34,000 (30%) of the total assessed civil penalties for the entire year. with Coast Guard passenger vessel reg-3 2020 statistics are very preliminary as there are several additional illegal charter enforcement activities under review. ulations. Source: U.S. Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis Nationwide, the Coast Guard also 28JULY 2020FOGHORN'