PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard is cautioning tourists to avoid chartering boats that do not have licensed captains while attending the pony swim at Chincoteague, Va., July 30.

Illegal charter boats pose a number of risks. The captain and crew may not have formal training, and in most cases do not conduct required drills, exercises, or passenger safety briefings. In addition, the crews of illegal charter boats are not subject to pre-employment or random drug testing. The boats may not carry proper lifesaving and firefighting equipment, or the equipmentmay be in poor condition. Very few illegal vessels meet the minimum required federal standards for machinery, hull construction, wiring, stability, safety railings, or navigation equipment.

The Coast Guard advises tourists to ask the boat's captain to show his or her original Coast Guard license. If the boat is carryingmore than six passengers it is required to be inspected by the Coast Guard, and the Certificate of Inspection should be displayed in an area accessible to passengers.

The Coast Guard is reaching out to the owners of vessels that are advertising trips for the pony swim to ensure they operate legally.

Jerry Crooks, Chief of Investigations for Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads, Va., stated that the Coast Guard will be aggressively enforcing federal regulations intended to ensure the safety of the public during the event.

"We will be boarding and citing vessels that do not have licensed captains, or vessels carrying more than six passengers without the required Certificate of Inspection," said Crooks.

"If an owner operates illegally, after being forewarned, it will be considered a willful violation and the Coast Guard will seek maximum penalties," Crooks said. "Vessel owners and operators can receive civil penalties in the thousands of dollars, and in the case of Coast Guard licensed captains who carry more than six passengers, the Coast Guard can initiate action seeking to suspend or revoke their license."

For any media interested in interviewing a Coast Guard representative, please contact Chief Petty Officer Rick Ball, officer in charge of Station Chincoteague, at (757) 336-2874 or (757) 894-0583.

 ###