A joint task force of the Port Department, Bahamas Customs, the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force brought down an alleged illegal charter company on Tuesday.

Head of the Revenue Enforcement Task Force, Commander Bertram Bowleg was on this scene. He said that the vessels are not registered with the Port Department but have cruising permits.

Senior Deputy Port Controller, Craig Curtis said the charter boat industry is reserved for Bahamians. “The Port Department as the regulators and the licensing authority for such operation. It is our duty to ensure that all vessels operating under the Foreign Charter Boat Act or the charter industry is duly licensed.”

The five vessel were seized near Paradise Island. The owners have thirty days to produce proper permits and licenses or face forfeiture of the boats.