In situations where they are not allowed to drink, you should not either. This is a key part of the leadership example discussed in Chapter 1. No one should consume alcohol within eight hours of a planned underway time. The bigger the STC, the greater the risk. Yet every evolution and maneuver can be executed safely.
Coaches are directly responsible to ensure that each evolution is conducted safely.
Crews will differ in their state and level of training. As a coach, you are expected to ascertain what this level is, either by asking questions, previous knowledge, comments from the professional staff, watching the crew carefully or by discussion with the midshipman Skipper. If you have any doubt as to the crew' s ability to execute an evolution safely, the evolution should be discussed with the Skipper prior to execution. As coach, you are the primary safety observer. Position yourself where you can watch each evolution.