'Wild Wild West of illegal boat charters': Pandemic fueled lasting problem in South Florida
Briefly

Illegal charter voyages in South Florida have become a significant issue, with the Coast Guard frequently terminating trips and imposing fines. Many boat renters are unaware of the complexities surrounding bareboat charters, as even minor technicalities like a missing contract signature can classify a voyage as illegal. To operate legally, all seven compliance requirements must be met, including not providing a captain or crew. Local captains stress the necessity for boat owners to understand federal charter laws to avoid unintended violations.
"There's a lot of laws surrounding bareboat charters that they can operate legally, but too many operators and owners don't understand the federal laws."
"Renting a boat is perfectly legal. The problem arises when recreational boat rentals run afoul of the seven specific requirements in order to be in compliance as a true, legitimate bareboat charter."
Read at Sun Sentinel
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