Role of safety pilot

[neilr]

Hi
I have a couple of question around the use of a safety pilot that I hope somebody will help me understand (and settle an argument )

If a pilot (flying) with either an IMC or IR rating in order to maintain currency is operating under the hood (so with restriction vision) in VMC with a safety pilot then my understanding is the following

- the safety pilot must be a licensed pilot, not necessarily an instructor - and is responsible for looking out

- the pilot flying (under the hood) remains the captain and would log this flight as P1

- the pilot not flying (safety pilot) is NOT the captain and is NOT operating the aircraft in any capacity and therefore is unable to log any of this time


However the confusion arises because technically the safety pilot IS responsible for the safety of the flight (or is he) in terms of avoidance of other aircraft, terrain clearance, remaining clear of cloud, etc, etc - all responsibilities of the captain of the flight - I guess another way to put it is who is held accountable in the event of an accident

Any thoughts .... Thanks Neil