Delivery captain responsibility

[rob71]

I would like to know how much liability a delivery captain has.
Aside from obvious neglect or unreasonable carelessness.
If damage occurs to to the transport vessel or another vessel?

 

[Pascal]

The boat and liability to others will be covered by the vessel insurance. That’s why an owner should not hire the first guy with a fresh license but check experience and references.

 

[rwaldrop13]

Has anyone else seen the news coverage of the shrimper that the delivery captain from Texas ran into the Sanibel Bridge - not once, not twice, but 3 times? Off-topic but critically valuable experience.

 

[Freeebird]

Has anyone else seen the news coverage of the shrimper that the delivery captain from Texas ran into the Sanibel Bridge - not once, not twice, but 3 times? Off-topic but critically valuable experience.

Was third time charm? LOL

Haven’t heard about that one.

To the OP, Pascal answered the question. I know some delivery Captains talk about carrying their own policy, but given the fact they’re covered under the owner’s insurance, I don’t know why.

Maybe they will move uninsured boats. I’ve been approached by a couple of uninsured owners about moving their boats, and I respectfully declined.

 

[Boatsb]

Better to have your umbrella coverage in case the owners won't pay or is too little.

 

[Pascal]

I haven’t had to do deliveries in years but I always asked for a copy of the insurance and documentation (or reg)

 

[bostonhatteras]

Was third time charm? LOL

Haven’t heard about that one.

To the OP, Pascal answered the question. I know some delivery Captains talk about carrying their own policy, but given the fact they’re covered under the owner’s insurance, I don’t know why.

Maybe they will move uninsured boats. I’ve been approached by a couple of uninsured owners about moving their boats, and I respectfully declined.

Maybe its life insurance, judging by how some maintain their vessel

 

[rwaldrop13]

Was third time charm? LOL

Haven’t heard about that one.

To the OP, Pascal answered the question. I know some delivery Captains talk about carrying their own policy, but given the fact they’re covered under the owner’s insurance, I don’t know why.

Maybe they will move uninsured boats. I’ve been approached by a couple of uninsured owners about moving their boats, and I respectfully declined.

The first and second times they jammed the outriggers under the bridge structure. They torched them off because they could not get them free. The third time, I'm told he slammed into one of the bridge supports but it was a glancing blow. This was a "licensed commercial delivery captain".

 

[Freeebird]

Maybe its life insurance, judging by how some maintain their vessel

I’ve delivered my share of neglected vessels and with one exception, I’ve always gotten them to their intended destinations with some really good stories to tell.

The one exception was actually a Hatteras 41TC. The engines had issues, and overheating was one of them. Was supposed to take it from Merritt Island, FL to Ontario Canada. VERY long story, and VERY entertaining. Extremely long story short, after riding out a TS In Fernandina Beach, the owner conceded the boat wasn’t ready for the trip, and we headed back.

I had throttled it up earlier to see what I head when things were starting to get interesting, and it immediately overheated. Boat never left the marina again.

My all time favorite was a badly neglected Carver which I named “Turdetta”. Many have said I should write a book. No doubt I have some great stories of such experiences.

 

[SeaEric]

It's always a good idea to let your insurance carrier know that a Captain is going to be running your boat. Then provide them with what info they require.

 

[rsmith]

The first and second times they jammed the outriggers under the bridge structure. They torched them off because they could not get them free. The third time, I'm told he slammed into one of the bridge supports but it was a glancing blow. This was a "licensed commercial delivery captain".

There is no such thing as a licensed delivery captain. The “Master” license which is pretty much a joke today lets you carry passengers and operate commercial vessels with tonnage limitations. With self certification today any fool with a 18’ bowrider can qualify. Seaschools will give you a crash course to pass the test. You not only need to check references but take a ride with the guy and see how he handles the boat. Not just that he can handle the boat but shows respect and finesse how he operates it.

 

[Pascal]

Legally you don’t even need a license to do deliveries since there are no paying passengers on board.

As to the qualifications of licensed captains, the bar is indeed pretty low. We see the results everyday here in miami with all the charter boats. It s scary. I even installed a dash cam to cover my behind.

 

[Freeebird]

You would be surprised at how many people think you have to have a license to deliver a boat. Being paid has no bearing on anything as it’s all about paying passengers.

I got my 100T Master Near Coastal because I had plenty of sea time to get it. Some insurance companies require it for deliveries/operating, but it isn’t a legal requirement. They just want assurance of experience, even though as Pascal said, some licensees are clueless. Memorization and fudging of hours is all it takes to get anything from 200T on down. Riding around in circles on a friend’s boat or your own is all that’s required.

 

[rwaldrop13]

There is no such thing as a licensed delivery captain. The “Master” license which is pretty much a joke today lets you carry passengers and operate commercial vessels with tonnage limitations. With self certification today any fool with a 18’ bowrider can qualify. Seaschools will give you a crash course to pass the test. You not only need to check references but take a ride with the guy and see how he handles the boat. Not just that he can handle the boat but shows respect and finesse how he operates it.

I was referring to his Master's license (500TON), his role was as a delivery captain and his qualifications apparently were solely based on his holding his Master's ticket.