Bavaria Vision 46 - Responsibility of the Coxswain;Skipper;Owner;Captain

Responsibilityofthecoxswain/skipper/owner/captain
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2. Responsibility of the coxswain/skipper/owner/captain
Theownerorboatcaptainisfullyresponsibleandshalladheretothefollowingprincipalrules:
1. Know and get to know about the limitations of your boat.
2. Alwaysfollowtherulesoftheroad-makesureyouknowaboutthelocalrulesandregulations.
3. Keep a good and sharp lookout for people and objects in the water.
4. Ensure,thattheanticipatedwindandseaconditionsdoalwayscorrespondtothedesigncategoryoftheboatand
that you and your crew are able to handle the boat in these conditions;
5. MakesureyourCrewandpassengersarealwayssafe,alwayskeepaneyeonthem.
6. Neversailordrivetheboatwhentheoperatorisundertheinuenceofdrugsoralcohol.
7. Ensurethatallcrewreceivesuitabletraining,particularlywithregardstothelocationandoperationofsafety
equipmentsuchaslifevests,life-raftsanddistresssignals.
8. Reduceyourspeedwhenthereisrestrictedvisibility,roughwater,peopleinthewater-boats,orstructuresnearby.
9. Doneveroverestimateyourownabilitiesandtness.Itiswiseandsensibletoconsultotherskippers,localau-
thoritiesorgovernmentdepartmentsaboutspecicinformation.
10. Trainwithyourcrewandallpeopleonboardregardingtheimportantmaneuversatsea:AbovealltheMOB-Man
over board. Each and every person on board should be able to execute this maneuver autonomously - even the
most experienced boat-captain may be the one in the water to be rescued.
11. Havethecraftinspectedbyqualiedpersonnelatregularintervalsandwheneveracauseforconcernisraised
haveitrepairedbyqualiedpersonnel.
12. Ensure compliance with all legislation in place in the area of operation. These may include requirements for the
carriageoflifesavingequipment,licensingofthehelmsmanandrespectfortheenvironment.
13. Checkthebilgewaterlevel,liquidssuchaswater,sloshingintheboatdoreducethestabilityoftheboat.
14. Regardlessofthecraft‘sseaworthinessanditscertieddesigncategory,protectionfromfreakseaandwind
conditionscannotbeguaranteed.Bewareofoffshorewindsandcurrents.Theability,experienceandtnessof
the crew should therefore be taken into consideration before you head off.
15. Thiscraftmayonlybeusedbyindividualsfulllingtheregulationsfortheoperatorand/orlicenserequirementsin
the country of use. In many countries it is compulsory to carry a license or comply with other legislation in place in
the area of operation. Keep yourself therefore informed and up to date on the local requirements before you head off.
Preparation
Prepareanytripcarefully,howsoevershort,harmlessorinsignicantitmayseem,beawarethat:
Weatherconditionsmaychangeabruptlyandaccidentsonboardshipmayalsooccurwithoutanyadverseinuences
of a seaway or meteorological effects.
If you are prepared and equipped for an emergency then usually bad luck does not hit you. In
order to be prepared your boat should be equipped with appropriate gear and resources.
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Information-reengthesailplan
» The working sail plan should be reduced if the average wind force exceeds force 4 on the Beau-
fort scale. Particular care should be taken in gusty conditions and rough weather.