Certified Operator Program (COP)

For

Maine Maritime Academy’s Power and Sailing Vessels

Attachment 8.6 – b to Waterfront Policies and Procedures

1.      Purpose

A.     To provide a method of documenting, evaluating, and qualifying the safe use of Maine Maritime Academy Vessels by students, staff, faculty, alumni, and visiting guests of the Academy.  These methods include the keeping of a seatime log, practical examinations, written examinations, and/or a resume of experience.

B.     To provide a path for improving the seamanship, boat handling, and sailing skills of those interested in using MMA’s floating resources.

C.     To encourage the use of Waterfront Facilities by those in the MMA community.

D.     To enable students to use their MMA training towards attaining vessel use privileges and to provide a means for a non-vessel orientated students to acquire those same privileges.

2.      Responsibility of Enforcement

A.  The ultimate responsibility of the safe and proper handling of MMA’s vessels

lies in the hands of the Waterfront Operations Manager and the Commandant of Midshipmen / Port Captain. 

B.     Everyday enforcement, testing, and record keeping will be overseen by the Sailing Master. 

C.     All Waterfront staff are charged with upholding the COP and are qualified to sign and approve float plans.  Any doubt of person’s qualification should be brought to the attention of the Sailing Master before allowing vessel usage.

D.     A COP Certification can be suspended or revoked at the discretion of the

Waterfront staff, Sailing Master, or Marine Operations Manger.  Reasons for this action could include, but are not limited to:

a.       Unsafe boating practices

b.      Leaving a vessel in an insecure/unkept manner

c.       A Rules of the Road violation

d.      Operating a vessel outside of the COP

e.       Unreported damages

3.      Vessel Usage 

A. Vessel Availability

1. May 1 – June 30, vessels can be used under the COP only by

    special arrangement and is dependant upon vessel availability.

2. July 1 – November 1, vessel are available for use under the COP  

     between 1000 – 1800 daily when the Waterfront is manned and

    conditions permit.       

                                    3.  Vessels are available for checkout until 1630 and must have all   

      hands ashore before 1800.

4. Vessels must be reserved in advance for guaranteed use.  All 

     reservations are considered cancelled if not filled by 1630.

B. Specific Requirements

1. The acting captain of a vessel must be qualified in its operation in accordance with Maine Maritime Academy’s Certified Operators Program.
   
   
2. All additional manning requirements of the vessel must be filled by appropriate and qualified crew when specified.

3. The qualified operator is responsible for filing a float plan.  All float plans must be signed by authorized waterfront staff.  A total of all persons on board, time of

departure/estimated time of arrival, and area in which you will be operating are required.

4. All vessels must be equipped with a VHF radio capable of monitoring and hailing on channels 16 (US Coast Guard) and 71 (MMA Waterfront).  Handheld units are available for check out.  Lasers, Mercury’s and 420’sare exempt from this requirement when under the supervision of a crash boat.

5. All operators, crew members, and persons aboard MMA vessels operating under the COP must wear appropriate personal floatation devices.

6.   Vessels may not be operated in a manner not specified by their float plan or outside the limits of the vessel.  Operators found doing so will then have their vessel operating privileges revoked and may face disciplinary action.

7. Before using a vessel all operators are required to make sure the proper safety equipment is aboard and is in operating condition. This will be ensured by completing the safety equipment checklist for the appropriate vessel.

8. Upon arrival back at the waterfront the float plan must be completed.  This sign in includes an actual arrival time and an incident report.  In this report all damages or accidents while underway must be logged.  * This is you chance to report all damages and to avoid possible disciplinary action.

9. Vessel usage should be recorded by operators, crews, and trainees in the Waterfront Certifications and Seatime logbook or the individual’s file and signed by personnel at the waterfront. These log entries must be signed by waterfront staff.

10.  All vessels are subject to random hauling and inspection for damage.

11. The Waterfront adheres to MMA’s Alcohol Policy while on vessels or the waterfront. All MMA vessels are dry vessels.  Students, faculty, and staff may not operate a vessel within 4 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage.  Operators found in possession of, or under the influence of, or allowing the consumption of alcohol will be subject to disciplinary action and will have their operating privileges revoked.   All persons aboard will face disciplinary actions.

12.  No overnights are allowed, except when pre-arranged through a school sanctioned club, organizations, or by order of the President.