SKIPPER'S RESPONSIBILITIES Shallotte River Power Squadron, North Carolina Boat safety awareness is the primary goal of National Boat Safety Week, May 18 to 24, sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council and their member organizations. The most important person on a boat is the Skipper, because as the Skipper of a boat you cannot PASS-THE- BUCK. The law says the Skipper is responsible for everything that occurs aboard the vessel as well as the impact your boat has on others. This is true whether you own the boat, you borrow it or you rent it. The Skipper sets the example for the entire crew and all passengers and must be knowledgeable of good seamanship practices, and must exercise good judgment at all times. Too many boaters do not understand their responsibilities very well and do not realize the legal problems they can get into. A person is not born with the knowledge to be a good Skipper, just like a person is not born with the knowledge to be a good driver of a car. The skills for piloting a vessel are learned from experience and from the study of the regulations and principles of seamanship, and navigation. Call the SHALLOTTE RIVER POWER SQUADRON (910)-579-2886 and inquire about our public boating course taught twice a year in Brunswick County as well as our advanced courses in seamanship, piloting, navigation, weather, electronic instrumentation, engine maintenance and other pertinent topics. The United States Power Squadron is a nonprofit organization of experienced boaters committed to safe boating education. The list of skipper responsibilities is long and as varied as the circumstances one can find themselves in on the water. As an example the skipper is responsible to: - make sure the boat has all U.S. Coast Guard required safety devices, including life jackets, distress signals, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, ventilation of the bilge and more, - make sure the boat registration, documentation and display of numbers are in order, - make sure all children and non -swimmers are wearing proper life jackets, - avoid overloading, comply with the posted capacity of the boat, - render assistance to any boater in distress, - manage their wake to avoid damage for which you, as skipper, will be entirely responsible, - avoid the spill of any oil or fuel in the water, - avoid the discharge of trash, garbage or human waste into coastal waters, - avoid the intemperate use of alcohol by anyone on the boat, - give way to skiers, sail boats under sail, divers, fishermen with nets deployed and any other boats or activities that are vulnerable because they do not have full control of their movements, - assure at least one other person on board is instructed in the operation of the boat, and - understand the rules of the waterway, the use of navigational aids and the invaluable information on a chart to assure safe passage for you and your passengers. ...Boat Smart; Boat Safe; Take Control... $$