THE Department of Public Safety is reminding boat operators or fishermen about their responsibility to assist individuals in danger.
DPS spokesman Pete C. Muna said the duty to provide assistance at sea is covered by Title 6 U.S. Code Section 2304.
Muna said paragraph 8 of the Code states that a master or individual in charge of the vessel should render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost.
The help can be done if it does not pose serious danger to the master or individual’s vessel or individuals on board, Muna said.
Muna said paragraph B of the Code states that a master or an individual violating the provision will be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
DPS is encouraging anyone to call its Boating Safety Section if they are aware of any violation of such law.
A few weeks ago, a fisherman was stranded near Tinian when his boat had engine problem. The fisherman reportedly kept calling another boat near his location, but the operator never responded.
Fortunately, the fisherman was rescued by Boating Safety Section officers.
