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Requirements for Using Small Boats

  • A STRI-qualified small-boat operator is required for any boating activity.
  • A qualified operator will stay on board during diving operations.
  • A qualified operator will stay onboard throughout the night as a watchkeeper when the boat is anchored at night.

Naos small boats are mainly used for day trips. If the boat is to be kept away from the lab overnight a watchkeeper is necessary. Arrangements for overnight cruises need to be made in advance to determine fees for boat operator/watchkeeper, food, fuel and water before the cruise.

To obtain a Small Boat Operators’ License

If you require a Boat Operator License, please contact the Naos scientific coordinator at bethancourti@si.edu for more information.

Small Boat Operator Responsabilities

  1. A small boat can only be operated by a certified STRI small-boat operator and a boat must have such an operator on board at all times.
  2. The boat operator has ultimate authority and full responsibility for the safety of the vessel and the personnel. The STRI diving officer maintains responsibility for the safety of the divers, but the ultimate responsibility rests with the boat operator.
  3. A “Boat guide” aboard each boat describes the boat, its systems and equipment location and includes an inventory of all safety equipment on board.
  4. Before the cruise, the operator is responsible for loading the boat to ensure proper trim and stability and for stowing and securing gear.
  5. During the cruise, the operator will ensure that the boat is equipped with a life jacket for each person aboard.
  6. After the cruise, the operator is responsible for washing down and cleaning the boat, and, if used, trailer and vehicle.
  7. The boat operator must notify promptly Naos support personnel of any problems that have arisen with the boat, accessories or equipment, or the dock crane in relation to the cruise.
  8. No fireguns are allowed under any circunstance.
  9. The use of cellphones while sailing is prohibited.

Operational Procedures

A. Scheduling:

  1. The Principal Investigator is responsible for submitting boat use requests.
  2. Boat use requests should be submitted as far in advance as possible or at least five works days before usage.
  3. Reservations will be administered by the Science Support Office. Operating schedules are posted at the Naos Small boats website.
  4. The principal investigator or vessel operator will file an online Cruise Plan for each scheduled operation at least 24 hours prior to that operation. The boat will not leave the Naos dock if an online cruise plan is not on file.

B. Operation rules:

  1. Departure is contingent upon suitable weather conditions.
  2. The vessel operator must inform the Naos contact person regarding any change of scheduling, sea conditions, and operating sea, and operating area, dive plan, or other factors, which affect the cruise plan.
  3. Failure to maintain scheduled radio contact may initiate search and rescue procedures. If scheduled radio contact is missed, the contact person will attempt to make contact via channel 16, or other predetermined working frequencies, or by the cell phone provided for use with the boat. If contact is not established within two hours after a scheduled contact, search and rescue procedures will be initiated.
  4. The operator of a returning boat will check in with the staff in charge of receiving the boat at Naos dock and log in the return time.
  5. Negligent operation will result in the suspension of operating privileges by the operator concerned.
  6. Defensive boating is the key to safe boating. It may be necessary to depart from standard procedures under the navigation rules to avoid an accident.
  7. Boating and Alcohol: No alcohol shall be consumed on a STRI boat at any time.

Scientific Diving Activities

All scientific diving activities must be approved in advance by STRI’s diving officer, Raúl De León DeLeonR2@si.edu.

Hazardous Materials

A list of any hazardous materials to be taken on STRI small-boats must be sent in advance to Irving Bethancourt at bethancourtI@si.edu.

A hazardous material is any substance, which, because of its chemical properties, can cause the deterioration of other materials or injury to living organisms. Hazardous materials may be grouped into five major classes: Flammable or explosive, corrosive, reactive, toxic or poisonous, and cryogenic.

Small Boats Policies for STRI Marine Stations

  1. Users are responsible for ensuring that the boat contains sufficient fuel to reach their destination and return safely, a functioning communication radio, basic spare parts, tools, life preservers for all people aboard, and a set of oars. Contact the facility manager if any of these items are missing.
  2. All small boats need to be operated by a person familiar with the machinery and with local waters. The small boat administrator in Naos or the scientific coordinator in the other facilities, will determine whether scientists, visitors, and students meet these conditions, or whether they need to be accompanied by an additional person who does.
  3. If the passengers will be scuba diving, a boat tender, who will remain on the boat, is necessary except under the following conditions:
    • Diving done within sight of the station.
    • When the small boat administrator or the scientific coordinator is satisfied that conditions at the diving site are such that the safety of the divers and the boat are assured, even in the absence of a boat tender.
  4. If the passengers will be snorkeling in the vicinity of the anchored boat, no tender is necessary, except in areas of high wave action or current flow. The small boat administrator or the scientific coordinator will determine whether the conditions require a tender or not.

Irving Bethancourt

+507 212-8703
bethancourtI@si.edu

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