ST. LOUIS – The Coast Guard terminated the voyage of a vessel violating small passenger laws and
regulations in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, on Saturday.
A Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River 29-foot Response Boat-Small law enforcement
boatcrew conducted a boarding on a 26-foot rental pontoon and determined the vessel was operating
with passenger counts exceeding the legal limit of 12, with no crew provided by the rental company.
The basic laws and definitions governing charter services can be found in Title 46 United States
Code 2101(35) and Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 175.400.
The investigation is ongoing, and constitutes the eighth illegal passenger vessel voyage termination
on Lake of the Ozark since June 4th, 2018.
Anyone planning to hire a charter vessel is encouraged to ask to see the vessel operator’s valid
credentials or proof of required inspection or examination. Illegal charters endanger vessel
passengers and other mariners.
