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Responsibility of the skipper
2. Responsibility of the skipper
The owner/skipper is fully responsible and must comply with the following basic rules:
1. Know the limitations of your boat!
2. Follow the German regulations on maritime waterways (Seeschifffahrtsstraßen-Ordnung, SeeSchStrO) or
the rules that apply to the maritime area you chose to frequent.
3. Keep a careful lookout for people, animals and objects in the water.
4. Make sure the expected wind and sea conditions always correspond to the category of your boat and your
crew can handle the boat in these conditions.
5. At all times pay attention to the safety of your crew and the passengers.
6. Never sail under the effects of alcohol and/or drugs or medication.
7. Make sure the crew receives suitable training, particularly in relation to the location and usage of safety
equipment (life vests, life rafts, distress signals, etc.).
8. Reduce your speed in bad visibility, rough seas, if there are people in the water, or there are boats or float-
ing structures nearby.
9. Do not overestimate your own abilities! It is sensible and advisable to seek advice and obtain specific
information from the authorities, related departments or experienced skippers in good time.
10. Practice important manoeuvres with your guests and crew members, above all the man overboard
manoeuvre. Every person on board should be able to execute these manoeuvres on their own – the expe-
rienced skipper could also fall overboard and need rescuing.
11. Have your vessel inspected by qualified personnel at regular intervals and have it serviced and repaired
properly if faults occur.
12. Follow the regulations in the area you are sailing. This statement also applies to the regulations on carry-
ing safety equipment, having an appropriate skipper's licence and respecting the rules on the protection
of the environment.
13. The water level in the bilge should be checked at regular intervals. Bilge water or other liquids will reduce
the stability and therefore your safety.
14. Irrespective of the seaworthiness of the boat and its design category, protection against high seas, strong
winds and currents as well as the related phenomena cannot be guaranteed. Always pay attention to the
wind and the current. Before a voyage, always take into account the crew's abilities and qualifications.
15. This boat is only allowed to be sailed by persons who meet the related statutory requirements. In many
countries a licence is now compulsory or there are other statutory arrangements. Therefore, obtain infor-
mation on the local situation before starting a trip.
If you are equipped for an emergency, in most cases it will not occur. If an emergency never-
theless occurs, the yacht should be equipped with the correct equipment for all these situa-
tions. Prepare each trip carefully, even if it is short and apparently insignificant or harmless
because:
weather conditions can change suddenly and accidents are possible on board even without a
swell or adverse weather.