2.1 Your responsibilities
Safety is the first step and most important step towards getting maximum pleasure out of your boat. Please familiarize yourself with the contents of this chapter before taking your boat out to sea for the first time.
As the captain of your boat, you have the ultimate responsibility! Not just for yourself, but also for your crew, any guests on board and other seafarers.
Risk of collision.
Do not operate the boat outside of inland waterways in foggy conditions, in poor visibility or at night.
Neglecting the necessary safety precautions can risk lives.
Take safety seriously. Remember that you as the driver are responsible for the safety for others.
Make sure you and any other persons who will operate your boat have the necessary boating and navigation skills.
Check that all persons on board, yourself inclusive, are wearing a life jacket at all times.
Do not let anyone swim around the boat when the engine is running.
Load the boat correctly within capacity limits.
Don’t drink and drive.
Do not climb on the roof or use the engine as a stepping platform.
Be aware of and make sure you comply with all applicable local laws and regulations.
Make sure the safety equipment complies with local regulations.
Take good care of your boat and have it serviced regularly. Don’t attempt to perform any major repairs by yourself or make modifications to your boat without consulting your Saxdor dealer first.
Read this manual and the documentation supplied in the Saxdor documentation bag and heed the warnings and cautions in them.
Know your boat and understand the safety limitations set on your boat by capacity and design category.
Proactively maintain your boat to keep it in good condition. Keep an eye on any signs of wear and tear and have them repaired immediately.
Familiarize yourself with the location of all safety equipment on board, and check that they are fully functional before setting off.
Make sure you understand all emergency procedures.
Also make sure that everyone on board is familiar with the correct use and operation of all safety equipment in the event of an emergency.
Check the weather conditions and forecast before you set off.
Plan your route and stopovers, and make sure you have the equipment and facilities needed.
Boating always comes with certain risks. Make sure you know how to minimize these risks, and be prepared to act in the event something were to happen.
- How to be prepared: Avoid emergencies
- How to act in case of emergency: Help!