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News Release Date: Sept. 13, 2007

Contact: 
Lt. Matt Dooris
(813) 228-2191 Ext. 8111
 

FWC, Coast Guard Fine Illegal Vessel Operator

TAMPA, Fla. - The Coast Guard, working in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers, disrupted an illegal charter fishing business operating out of Spring Warrior Creek in Perry, Fla.

The undercover investigation led by FWC, resulted in charging Johnny Browning, 58, of Lakeland, Ga., with multiple marine resource law and licensing violations.

Browning was charged with taking paying passengers on fishing trips without a valid U.S. Coast Guard Captain's license or enrollment in a chemical testing program.  For these violations, the Coast Guard issued Browning a $2,000 citation.

FWC also charged Browning with multiple counts of State misdemeanor resource crimes to include: (1) missing commercial vessel registration, (2) no Saltwater Products License, (3) speckled sea trout bag limit violations, (4) harvesting speckled sea trout commercially without a Restricted Species Endorsement, and (5) taking speckled sea trout out-of-season.  The violations may result in Browning losing fishing privileges in Florida as well as fines and costs as determined by a County Judge.

FWC patrol officers received an anonymous tip about an individual operating out of the Spring Warrior Fish Camp who was conducting fishing charters without a proper U.S. Coast Guard license to carry passengers for hire.  Officers also received reports of Browning violating the daily bag limit of speckled sea trout by making multiple trips and that he was selling his catch in Georgia.  Undercover FWC investigators, posing as out-of-town fisherman, hired Browning for several fishing trips that produced evidence of licensing and resource violations.

Coast Guard regulations require each vessel transporting passengers to carry additional safety equipment and to have a licensed operator, holding a valid Merchant Mariner's License.  To receive a Merchant Mariner's License, a person must demonstrate fundamental seamanship knowledge and skills through tests and experience, undergo a criminal background check, pass a health exam, and participate in a drug and alcohol testing program.

"The Coast Guard, in concert with state and local partners, actively investigates all reports of illegal passenger vessel operations, imposing civil or criminal penalties when required," said Matt D. Dooris, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. "In this case, through the teamwork of federal, state, and local law enforcement, an illegal and unsafe passenger vessel operation was stopped and natural resources protected."

If you carry six or fewer passengers on the water and want to ensure you're in compliance with federal rules and regulations, you may schedule a Coast Guard voluntary safety examination by Contacting Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at (813) 228-2191 Ext. 8136. 

This year, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg has performed 43 un-inspected passenger vessel safety examinations.

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News Release Date: August 17th, 2007


 

Coast Guard, FWC and Manatee County Sheriff Disrupt Illegal Fishing Charter

TAMPA, Fla. - The Coast Guard, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission disrupted an illegal fishing business operating from Palmetto, Fla., Aug. 10.

Investigators from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., and FWC pursued a report from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office that Michael L. Henry, 55, a resident of Palmetto, was illegally taking paying passengers on fishing trips.

The 20-foot fishing vessel, operated by Henry, spent the morning underway on the Manatee River with one passenger aboard. The passenger, was an undercover officer from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. A Coast Guard boarding team from Station Cortez, Fla., boarded the vessel for a safety inspection. During the boarding, Henry stated that he was fishing recreationally and the Coast Guard crew left Henry and his passenger to fish.

Henry returned the vessel and his passenger to the dock at Cut’s Edge Marina later that day, where law enforcement officers from the Coast Guard, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and FWC were waiting to confront Henry after he accepted $250 plus an additional $40 tip for his services. The Coast Guard and FWC issued Henry a combined citation totaling $2,065.00 for failing to have the required passenger vessel license and registration. Additionally, Henry may face criminal charges for providing a false statement to a law enforcement official.

To ensure the safety of passengers, Coast Guard regulations require each vessel carrying a passenger to have additional safety equipment as well as having a person holding a Merchant Mariner’s License direct the control of the vessel. To receive a Merchant Mariner’s License a person must demonstrate fundamental seamanship knowledge and skills through tests and experience, undergo a criminal background record review, pass a health exam, and participate in a drug and alcohol testing program among other requirements. Despite being difficult to earn, there are more than 1,510 properly licensed and professional Merchant Mariner’s located in the Tampa Bay area.

The Coast Guard along with local and state agencies actively investigates all reports of illegal passenger vessel operations, imposing civil or criminal penalties when necessary. In this case, through the teamwork of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, an illegal and unsafe passenger vessel operation was ended.