Cap'n Scuba Steve
Active Member
Coast Guard “sailors” are a little funny. We joke about them having never navigated waters beyond 6 fathoms - but I have never heard of this. The captain or owner of the vessel is ultimately responsible for the location and condition of all safety equipment. If it is all present, serviceable, and correct for the vessel and passengers then the boarding report should be satisfactory. Perfectly fine and encouraged to brief your passengers on where all safety equipment is and how to use it. But they aren’t responsible for it - the captain is.I heard a story this past weekend of a captain being boarded by the USCG. They told him to sit quiet while they asked the guests on board questions such as fire ex. locations, PFD locations etc. If the guests failed, the captain failed. SOOOO, it's OK to educate your guests. M