What is the primary responsibility of a vessel operator?

The primary responsibility of a vessel operator is to ensure the safety of the vessel, crew, and other water users. This encompasses a wide range of duties, including maintaining situational awareness, adhering to navigational rules, and taking appropriate precautions to prevent accidents or collisions. Safety is paramount in maritime operations, reflecting the inherent risks associated with navigating on water.

While maintaining speed, following orders from authorities, and navigating only during daylight hours are important considerations, they do not encompass the overall responsibility of a vessel operator. Following orders from coastal authorities, for example, may be situational and dependent on the conditions, but safety remains the overarching duty at all times. Similarly, navigating only during daylight limits a vessel's operational capability and does not address safety in a holistic manner. Ultimately, the commitment to safety drives all other actions and decisions on the water, making it the foundation of maritime operation responsibilities.