Identify the main roles of a boarding officer during a vessel inspection.

During a vessel inspection, the main roles of a boarding officer encompass assessing compliance with maritime laws and regulations, ensuring the safety of the vessel and its occupants, and detecting any illegal activities. This involves a holistic approach where the officer evaluates whether the vessel adheres to safety standards and operates within legal parameters.

Assessing compliance means checking that the crew has the necessary documentation, that the vessel is properly registered, and that it meets environmental and safety regulations. Ensuring safety involves inspecting equipment such as life jackets, flares, and firefighting systems to verify they are both on board and operational. Detecting illegal activities requires vigilance for potential signs of smuggling, human trafficking, or violations of fishing or drug laws.

While enforcing fishing regulations, inspecting cargo for illegal goods, and assisting with navigational issues are significant tasks that may involve boarding officers, they are more specialized functions that fall under particular circumstances. The broader role of the boarding officer encompasses these specific actions but is primarily focused on compliance, safety, and crime prevention as a whole.