The U.S. Coast Guard announced on Thursday that it terminated what it called an illegal charter voyage of the 52-foot sailing catamaran Island Hoppin’ just outside of Caneel Bay, St. John because the boat carried more passengers than it was rated.
According to the Coast Guard, a Coast Guard Boat Forces Detachment 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement Team conducted a boarding of the Island Hoppin’ on March 4 and found the vessel was carrying 10 people on board, including the vessel operator and nine passengers for hire. The Island Hoppin’, reportedly operating out of St. Thomas for Charter Caribe, is allowed to carry only up to six passengers.
The Coast Guard boarding team cited the vessel operator with the following violations: Not having a valid certificate of inspection, operating with more than six passengers onboard, missing registration, missing registration numberings and carrying required distress flares that were expired.
Captain of the Port for Sector San Juan authorized the termination of the voyage and for the vessel to remain anchored in Caneel Bay, a Coast Guard news release said. Marine Safety Detachment St. Thomas personnel and the Boat Forces Detachment St. Thomas Boarding Team informed the master of all enforcement actions.
COURTESY OF THE ST. THOMAS SOURCE