A 58-foot boat that was illegally operated as a passenger charter by two uncredentialed crew members ran aground in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
A total of 12 passengers and the two crew members were aboard the boat, named Rogue One, on Friday when it became stuck in shallow water near the New River, the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast said in a news release Monday.
The crew of a Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale law enforcement boat and a good Samaritan evacuated all 14 people. None had any medical issues or injuries.
The operators of the illegal charter were cited for seven violations, including failing to have appropriate credentials while operating as a small passenger vessel, failure to hire an appropriately credentialed mariner, and negligent operations.
Operators of illegal charters can face civil penalties of $69,000 or more.
Jesus Porrata, chief of investigations at Sector Miami, urged in the news release that anyone who pays for a trip on a passenger boat asks to verify that the captain has a Merchant Mariner Credential and a Coast Guard-issued Certificate of Inspection for any larger boats carrying more than six passengers.
