Coast Guard warns tourists of illegal charter boats at pony swim

By Stephanie Lee

The Coast Guard is cautioning tourists to avoid charter boats with unlicensed captains at the upcoming pony swim in Chincoteague, after receiving several complaints last year.

Illegal charter boats may not have a formally trained crew, carry proper equipment or meet federal safety standards, according to the Coast Guard.

At last year’s pony swim, it was reported that 12 people boarded an illegal charter boat that had no lifesaving equipment or fire extinguishers, said Rick Ball, a chief boatswain’s mate in the Coast Guard. The group was sitting in chairs taken from a nearby hotel pool area.

The Chincoteague pony swim, scheduled for July 30, draws upwards of 50,000 people annually. During the event, there are a few thousand people and between 300 and 500 boats on the water, Ball said.

Illegal charter boats have been reported to charge between $150 and $300 per person at the event, Ball said, while legal boats charge around $75 each.

Consequences for those who run illegal charter boats range from fines to not being able to obtain a Coast Guard license. Last year, one man faced $5,000 in fines and penalties, Ball said.

The Coast Guard advises tourists to ask the boat’s captain to show his or her original Coast Guard license. If the boat is carrying more than six passengers, a Coast Guard certificate of inspection should be displayed in an accessible area.

“Wear your lifejackets and ensure that you, as a paying customer, know that your captain is safe and legally licensed and knows what to do in case of an emergency,” Ball said.

Stephanie Lee, (757) 446-2628, stephanie.lee@pilotonline.com