KOROR STATE GOVERNMENT MARINE TOUR GUIDE ... - C3

7.2 Boat Requirements by National Law that each Guide needs
to check
This is a basic outline of what a guide can check before using a commercial boat for the
first time.
The Division of Transportation, Ministry of Commerce and Trade provides training,
testing and licensing for all commercial boats in Palau. Every boat that carries tourists
or is a boat-to-hire, must have the following according to National and Koror State Law:
1) An up-to-date registration number available upon request.
2) An up-to-date license for each boat captain available upon request.
3) Have required, well maintained safety equipment on board at all times
including the following: VHF radio, tool kit, first aid kit, oxygen for SCUBA operations,
personal flotation devices for all passengers, lights and a fire extinguisher.
For updated information or specific information questions on national requirements
contact the Division of Transportation, Ministry of Commerce and Trade. For updated
information or specific questions on State requirements contact the Koror State.
**Each tour guide needs to ensure that the skipper and boat meet national standards at
all times for their own safety and the safety of their customers.
7.2.1. Boat Registration
The boat must be registered with the Ministry of Commerce and Trade and Koror State.
An up-to-date registration number should be displayed on the boat.
7.2.2 Boater License
All skippers of boats-for-hire or commercial use need to have an up-to-date boaters
license.
7.2.3 VHF (Very High Frequency) Marine Radio
Every tour or commercial boat should be equipped with a VHF Radio. All boaters should
regularly monitor Channel 16 – the international Emergency Channel and the local
emergency channels. Local Channels are as follows: Channel 3 or 5 are for Peleliu and
Angaur, Channel 7 is for Koror and Channel 18 is for Northern Babeldaob. Do not use
these channels unless there is an emergency.
7.3 Safety Equipment
7.3.1 Lights
Lights must be on from sunset to sunrise and during times of restricted visibility (eg.
heavy rain) by all boats. Such lights include but are not limited to masthead lights,
sidelights, range lights and stern lights. A maximum of five lights and a minimum of 3
must be running at the required times listed above.
112