Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan terminates four illegal charters over Fourth of July weekend

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, UNITED STATES

07.11.2025

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Lauofo 

U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District

July 11, 2025
Lt. Joe Neff
414-405-6436/[e-mail]
MILWAUKEE — Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan terminated four vessels operating illegal
charters in Chicago over the Fourth of July weekend.
Examples of violations include: insufficient life jackets, lack of safety training, and one vessel
was found to have no personal flotation devices on board for the 10 passengers. Vessels
operating as charters are required by federal law to have a personal flotation device for all
passengers and crew members on board.
All four vessels were terminated and escorted safely back to the pier.
The Coast Guard continues to urge those recreating in the waters of Lake Michigan to do so
safely. Anyone paying for a trip on a passenger vessel should verify that the captain has a
Merchant Mariner Credential. If the vessel has more than six passengers, ask to see the Coast
Guard certificate of inspection. Passengers should not board vessels that do not comply with
federal safety regulations.
“We want people to have a safe and enjoyable time out on the lake and our Chicago area
waterways and to do their research before renting or chartering a boat,” said Cmdr. T. J. Bigay,
commanding officer, Marine Safety Unit Chicago. “Illegal charters put people’s lives at risk and
the Coast Guard, along with interagency partners, will continue to identify, investigate and shut
down these inherently dangerous operations. We will enforce passenger vessel safety regulations
to the fullest extent of the law. Passengers are exposing themselves to unknown risk and liability
if the vessel they rented is operating as an illegal charter.”
Owners and operators of illegal charters can face more than $69,000 per voyage in civil penalties
for illegal passenger vessel operations.
Anyone with information regarding suspected illegal charters is encouraged to contact Coast
Guard Investigative Services.
The Coast Guard and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are working closely with the
Chicago Harbor Safety Committee to promote safe and legal charter operations. There is a
“Research Before Renting” survey on the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee website that can
assist with verifying if your charter is operating illegally. To take the survey, please visit
Thinking of Chartering a Boat? | CHSC
For further information, please contact Lt. Joe Neff, Sector Lake Michigan Public Affairs Officer,
at 414-405-6436 or via email at [e-mail]
-USCG-

• Date Taken: 07.11.2025
• Date Posted: 07.11.2025 16:38
• Story ID: 542599
• Location: MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, US