Although at anchor, a vessel is still at sea and should ideally remain on sea watches, including with a manned bridge. However, many smaller vessels do not have sufficient personnel to stay on sea watches and simultaneously meet guests’ needs.
In our first edition of Superyacht FEEDBACK (Report M2088), we noted that one of the more difficult tasks for a captain is to moderate the owner’s or guests’ expectations. This includes the uncomfortable conversation that their vessel might not be crewed to safely operate at sea overnight—even at anchor—while simultaneously running tenders ashore and supervising the use of water toys, etc.
This is one instance where a comprehensive risk assessment, which refers to scenarios like the one above, can help. And as we noted in that first edition:
“Shrewd owners will accept that the captain is looking after their interests… [and if they don’t]… this should be a ‘red flag’ to the captain that safety on board at some point will be compromised. Better to seek alternative employment.”
