Captain's responsibilities/liability

[Luci]

Hi...I am sailing from California to French Polynesia with one non-paid crew member. What is my liability as the boat owner and what steps do I need to take to protect myself and my boat? What are my responsibilities?
Thank You

[Steadman Uhlich]

Howdy and Welcome Aboard CF Luci!

Bon Voyage!

Short important answer: the captain is responsible for the safety of the crew.
________

Specifics for French Polynesia Formalities can be found on Nooonsite.com

French Polynesia —

For example:
"Otherwise, all non EU citizens are required to do one of three things when they arrive in FP:

1) Post a bond for each non-EU Passport of approx US$1,700
or
2) Have an airline ticket departing FP* (*see note below);
or
3) Have a Bond Exemption Letter from a registered Yacht Agent in FP, approximate cost US$2-300 per person. Note, in order to get bond exemption you must have insurance which covers the cost of you flying out in case of a medical emergency.

The rules about having a return air ticket or posting a bond seem to be quite strictly enforced now, whereas in the past they were fairly relaxed, so do be prepared.

* Refundable air tickets appear to be available through Air NZ. Refunds take approx. 2-3 weeks to process. See this report by an Australian cruiser who used this option to circumvent paying the bond in April 2016.

Even if a bond is paid, if plans change you may encounter difficulties. See this report for more details."
____________

Bon Voyage!

[boatman61]

This has got to be an SA windup..

[Luci]

Thanks for your reply...I do have all of this information. While I intend to vet any potential crew member, I'm looking for any worst case scenarios that I haven't considered. I've sailed with "stranger" crew for day trips only and never out of the country.

[CSY Man]

Originally Posted by Luci

Hi...I am sailing from California to French Polynesia with one non-paid crew member. What is my liability as the boat owner and what steps do I need to take to protect myself and my boat? What are my responsibilities?
Thank You

That there is a long voyage and the Captain/boat owner should be experienced and well prepared. If you don’t know your responsibilities you should not go.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by boatman61

This has got to be an SA windup..

Great minds Boatie, great minds: biggrin: think alike.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Luci

Thanks for your reply...I do have all of this information. While I intend to vet any potential crew member, I'm looking for any worst case scenarios that I haven't considered. I've sailed with "stranger" crew for day trips only and never out of the country.

The following is offered in a friendly tone of voice, and intended to help you.

Being vague, or asking broad general questions without much explanation is likely to get less than optimum answers from a forum.

You say you "have all of this information." Then what exactly are you asking about?

What "worse case scenarios" have you already considered? List them. How have you addressed them?

Since the members of this forum know know nothing about you (as you are new to CF) know nothing about your sailing experience, your boat, then it would help if you are more forthcoming with what you do know, what you are concerned about, and what risks you have mitigated by preparation, including your vetting of crew.

There are many potential risks on long ocean crossing voyages.

One of them is picking the wrong crew or captain.

As I see it, if you are an unknown, your crew should be concerned about you as well. In other words, the risk is to you both.

So, I suggest you be more descriptive about your experience, plans, concerns, and be specific as possible. That will help others here respond in a more serious manner. The more transparent the better.

I hope these suggestions help you and others.

[Navi2016]

Captain is responsible for everything, always

A couple episodes of Star Trek and its all clear