I understand that it is against the law for the skipper of a charter vessel to be drinking alcohol while on the job. Would somebody please confirm this for me and let me know what the actual regulation/law is and what it says? On a charter out of Auckland yesterday in winds up to 30knots plus and pretty much the first thing the skipper said to us was 'what about a beer for the skipper?" Wasn't the only one he consumed during a short charter.

Your lucky, my one drinks rum!   

was that outa pine harbour??

That's terrible MJ - can't believe he had to ask

I had a charter skipper smoke a spliff with the boys once, against the law, yes, irresponsible, maybe, but did I feel unsafe, No. Each person has their own thing that makes them feel uncomfortable I guess

Rotowarriors wrote: I had a charter skipper smoke a spliff with the boys once, against the law, yes, irresponsible, maybe, but did I feel unsafe, No. Each person has their own thing that makes them feel uncomfortable I guess

Isn't that a bit like saying its ok to drink and drive?

There are too many idiots on the water, we all see stupid things happen and close calls almost every time we go out, how would the skipper respond if a situation happened and he had a few beers inside him or smoked a fat one.
Mines a dry boat.

I'd say so... bus drivers, taxi drivers, pilots & ferry operators or basically anyone thats liscensed to carry passengers have to be completely booze free when they're working... Only difference is a charter skipper is prob self employed so he can do what he wants, be in for a helluva skate if things went wrong tho wether it was strictly his fault or not.

You just got mine on it, I personally don't drink very much regardless but there are a lot of clients that come out on the boat either hungover from the night before or intending to get skulled while they are out.

 a gentle reminder team~~~please, no naming names~~