Skipper
A skipper (from Low German Schipper / Middle Low German schipper, Schiphere , ship owner ') is the term used to describe the boat or skipper responsible in recreational shipping , colloquially also in professional shipping . The skipper bears civil and criminal responsibility for the safety of the ship and crew . A skipper does not necessarily have to be the owner of the ship or employed for this task, nor does he have to steer the ship himself. Before starting the voyage, however, the skipper must be determined (e.g. by the crew agreeing) and this in the logbookbe documented. A skipper must be in possession of the certificates of competence required for the area and type of boat, such as a driver's license and, if necessary, a radio operating certificate and certificate of expertise for distress signals .
Ships under the German flag
Hobby skipper
On inland waters in Germany, the skipper or pleasure boat driver needs a sport boat driving license inland , on the German maritime waterways and coastal waters of the so-called 3-mile zone a sport boat driving license sea if the engine power of the boat exceeds 11.03 kW (15 HP). The SBF inland only applies to boats that are not used for commercial purposes ( sports boats ) up to a length over all ( Lüa ) of up to 20.00 m, i.e. you can drive a sports boat up to 19.99 m, but not one of 20.00 m more (on the Rhine up to 15.00 m). However, local regulations can be issued by municipalities that require a driver's license in the municipality's driving area even if there is less motorization, or vice versa, driving license-free driving areas can be declared. The skipper must therefore always find out beforehand what is required and needed in the sailing area, because ignorance does not protect against punishment. Driving without the right boat license has the same consequences as driving without a car license. If a radio is on board, the skipper needs the necessary certificate (inland: UBI ; sea: SRC or LRC ). If distress signals are carried on board , the skipper needs a certificate of qualification .
A skipper training is an additional and voluntary practical training for skippers of sailing or motor sport boats.
Commercial skipper
The term skipper can represent a job title when it relates to the commercial control of watercraft . Commercial here means that the skipper receives a salary or fee for his work. Paid skippers of charter yachts without the intention of training are also part of commercial sport shipping.
Commercial skippers on ships flying the German flag are always subject to the protection of the Maritime Labor Act and must be registered by the employer with the professional association for transport and traffic (formerly: SeeBG ) and have social insurance. Commercial skippers on sports boats in Germany, or on sports boats flying the German flag worldwide, had to be holders of the Sportseeschifferschein (shipping area worldwide up to 30 nm from the coast) or the Sporthochseeschifferschein (unlimited sailing area) for the respective yacht type. Recently, the sport coastal boat license has been extended up to 12 nm .
Skipper on training ships
For commercially operated training ships, e.g. B. of sailing or motorboat schools and clubs, according to SeeSpbootV the above regulation applies, although here the economic profit of the training facility is often in the foreground. In the area of inland waterways and in exceptional cases in the coastal area up to 3 nm, training skippers such as hobby skippers only need the compulsory driving license required for the area.
Skippers on commercial vessels
A watercraft is considered to be commercial if it is operated with the intention of economic gain. This applies in particular to passenger, merchant and fishing ships ( merchant ship ). Such ships may only be operated by a holder of a nautical patent .
Switzerland
Inland lakes
In the Swiss inland waters is a recreational Skipper for guiding a vessel ship driving license required, the engine power unless 6 kilowatts or the sail area exceeding 15 square meters. However, a responsible boat operator must be appointed for every ship, regardless of the requirement for a driver's license. He or she is responsible for compliance with the regulations and for the safety of the ship and the crew. The correct maintenance and upkeep of the safety equipment is also his responsibility. The category A skipper's license (motor boats) also allows commercial passenger transport on inland lakes.
On Lake Constance , the same ID is required from an engine output of 4.4 kilowatts or a sail area of 12 square meters - according to the Lake Constance shipping regulations , the same rule also applies to German and Austrian boats on these border waters.
Ocean-going yachts under the Swiss flag
To drive an ocean-going yacht flying the Swiss flag, a Swiss ocean-going pass is required. It allows - depending on the license you have acquired - to drive sailing or motor yachts for leisure purposes worldwide. Commercial transport of people or goods on a yacht flying the Swiss flag is generally prohibited.
Informal form of address
On board naval ships, the captain is often unofficially referred to as the skipper. In many marine infantry units, senior officers are often unofficially or appreciatively referred to as skippers.
Web links
- Website of the Association of German Sport Boat Schools
- Trade association for transport and traffic management
Individual evidence
- ↑ The new sports boat license regulation. Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, accessed on September 5, 2017 .
- ^ Ordinance on Swiss yachts at sea (Article 17) . July 1, 2009. Retrieved February 16, 2019.