You may have a submission from a long-term boat owner who has just moved up significantly in size. He assures his agent that he can operate the new, larger yacht safely, but how can you be sure?
Lots of accidents and collisions happen around the dock. That’s just one challenge that needs to be considered.
Perhaps the insured plans to bring the new “big” boat south for the winter, and back north for the summer boating season. Who are the crew, and are they qualified watch standers? In addition, electronic navigation systems can provide a false sense of security. These systems are great, as long as they’re working. But you still need paper charts as a backup, and you need to know how to use them. The risk and potential hazards include, not only the boat itself, but the operator or captain’s skill set and voyage preparation.
We can schedule a visit by an experienced yacht captain to interview the skipper and provide expert insight into whether or not the operator’s skill level is up to the task.
Case Study
The cause of this grounding, at the harbor entrance, was reported to be a malfunctioning autopilot.
With all due respect, this is the question: Why is an autopilot being used in such a confined area, with hazards close on either side?