By Staff
Association reviews maritime rules,
prepares for growth
By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
The North Carolina-United States Coast Guard Licensed Captains Association reviewed newly implemented federal maritime laws and continued to plan for its growth during its meeting Friday night.
Taking the helm during the meeting, held at Washington’s headquarters fire station, was founding member Bobby Rees, a licensed captain. Rees was joined by fellow captains Larry Walker and Joe Sizemore, as well other association members and newcomers.
The meeting covered a wide range of topics, from the organization of the association to financial support for the nonprofit group to maritime laws that every licensed boat captain is required to know and obey.
Rees opened the meeting by discussing new federal maritime laws. A drug-testing program is in place for all licensed captains. If a vessel is involved in a serious marine accident, then, by federal law, everybody on board is subject to a drug test. Therefore, captains are required to carry drug-testing kits on their vessels at all times.
According to Rees, the penalty for anyone involved in a marine accident and not complying with the drug-testing program is $5,000 per day.
With such harsh penalties in place for not abiding by those maritime laws, Rees made it a point to educate association members and prospective captains about them.
Rees praised association members for their support and attention to carrying out the association’s mission. The association, which was formed late last year, has eight active members, but it is seeking more.
Working with Rees, Sizemore created the association’s Web site. Now, work on finding funding sources — other than its members — for the association is under way.
The association will hold quarterly meetings throughout the year. The organization’s next meeting is slated for June 27 at the Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS-Inspections Department’s Station 2 on 15th Street Extension. The meeting is being set up as a membership drive for the organization, with that drive designed to make people aware of the association.
Rees remains confident about the direction of the organization.
With a Web site, an established mission, a permanent meeting place at Station 2 and prorated dues, Rees believes the association is ready to take the next step.
Sizemore believes Washington is an ideal place for such an organization, and he looks forward to training potential captains.