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This document is maintained by the Director of the Department of Marine Research Services in consultation with bob���� licensed boat captains and MBL Safety Office.

Download the Small Boat Program Manual including appendices here

Introduction

MBL researchers, students and others working for or on behalf of MBL (“MBL Personnel”) at times self-operate or charter small boats¹ for coastal or other research projects. Operation of a small boat means being in control of the propulsion and navigation of the vessel. A chartered vessel may be operated by a person who is hired along with the vessel or, in the case of a bareboat charter, by the person chartering the vessel. Any MBL Personnel operating a small boat owned by MBL, registered in the US or operated in US territorial waters in the course of their work at MBL (“Operator”) must be certified to do so (See Operator Certification Process below). This guide is intended to introduce small boat operators and charterers to the bob���� small boat operating procedures. Operators are expected to be trained and familiar with the information presented here and to operate all boats owned by MBL, registered in the US or operated in US territorial waters in accordance with these guidelines.

All boats, whether maintained by MBL or chartered must be in seaworthy condition and, if registered in the US or operated in US territorial waters, meet all federal and state safety and licensing requirements. Operators are required to complete a certification process prior to operating small boats.

MBL policy requires that any person that is not a paid bob���� staff person must sign a waiver prior to boarding an MBL vessel for the first time.  Waivers cannot accompany the person on the vessel and must be archived by MBL Facilities.  Waivers are valid for one calendar year.  Current waiver forms can be obtained by MBL Facilities or the Director of the Department/Lab that manages the vessel.

A copy of these “Small Boat Management Program” procedures should be aboard any small boat operated by MBL personnel.  An online reference copy will be found on the MBL website and can be located via a search for “Small Boat Management Program.”

Small Boats at MBL

The basic principles and safety procedures in this manual focus on power-driven vessels and the general rules should be observed when operating non-powered vessels (e.g., rowboats, kayaks) as well.  For a small boat to be used on any MBL project (grant or contract or for any other reason on behalf of, or in the name of MBL), it must either be in active use and owned by MBL or, if chartered and registered in the US or operated in US territorial waters, from an organization with sufficient licenses, certifications, and insurance.  MBL-owned small boats must have liability insurance coverage 12 months of the year and be registered in order to be considered active and usable. MBL-owned small boats without insurance coverage must either be covered by insurance before operation, remain inactive and not launched or sold.  Small boats registered in the US or operated in US territorial waters owned by private individuals (not charter companies) cannot be utilized. See Appendix 1 for List of MBL Small Boats.

MBL Marine Research Services provides guidance for small boat operations and has the following principal responsibilities:

• Oversee implementation of the small boat management plan,
• Facilitate training opportunities,
• Ensure departmental operator training records are maintained, and
• Maintain departmental float plan records.

MBL Facilities has the following principal responsibilities:

• Maintain listing of MBL-owned small boats vessels for registration and insurance tracking purposes,
• Assist with vessel registration, and
• Ensures institutional small