What is a Vessel Safety Check? A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a free, simple courtesy check of your vessel to verify the presence and condition of specific safety equipment required by federal, state and local regulations. A Vessel Examiner is a certified safety specialist and a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and/or the United States Power Squadrons® who is trained to conduct a VSC. He or she will perform the VSC of your boat, discuss the purpose and value of required and optional marine safety equipment, answer any boating-related safety questions, and make recommendations that will help to make you a safer boater. During the check, boating safety education is discussed in conjunction with some important new Homeland Security rules for boaters and issues relating to Maritime Domain Awareness, a term the Coast Guard uses to refer to the elements of both safety and security on our nation's waterways.
"A VSC is a public service intended to serve as prevention through education, outreach and compliance activity, and is also intended to help recreational boaters gain a respect for the boating environment," says Peter Urgola, department chief of vessel examination for the Auxiliary. "The boater will receive a copy of the safety check and basic evaluation so that the boater can learn about safety equipment, safety precautions, and follow some of the suggestions for a safe outing."
VSCs are conducted once a year
and usually take about 10 to 20 minutes to perform. They're totally voluntary, not a boarding or a
law enforcement action, and therefore no citations are ever given as a result. Boats that "pass" a
VSC will receive a distinctive VSC decal with the current year, which is then displayed on your
boat. "The decal doesn't exempt the boater from a law enforcement boarding, but it does tell them
that the boat has received a Vessel Safety Check and will better prepare the operator for a more
positive encounter should he or she get boarded by a law enforcement officer," says Urgola.
Obtaining a VSC has some great benefits. According to Urgola, passing a VSC may qualify the boat for a discount from some participating marine insurance companies. Additionally, if your boat doesn't pass the VSC, you can receive discounts on the boating safety items missing or in need of replacement shown on the examination. Simply take a copy of the VSC report to the nearest participating retailer, purchase those items, and return to get another VSC completed. If you pass it, you'll then receive the Vessel Safety Check decal.
A VSC can be a valuable learning experience for the boater, because it provides some extra safety tips. For example, putting plastic covers on boat battery terminals; carrying a VHF marine radio, de-watering devices, anchor and lines; filing a float plan; and carrying a tool kit and first- aid kit are a few of them.
Before venturing out on the water each time, it's always a good idea to discuss safety and safe operation procedures with your passengers. Let them know where all the items such as lifejackets, fire extinguishers, VHF radio, flashlights, first-aid kits, life lines and other safety items are located.
How do you obtain and schedule
a local Vessel Safety Check in your area? This year, from May 20 through July 9, the U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons will be promoting annual Vessel Safety Check Mega
Weeks, where Vessel Examiners will set up VSC stations in your area. To contact a Vessel Examiner
directly, go to www.vesselsafetycheck.org and click the "I Want A VSC" button. You'll also
find a wealth of boating safety information and more information about VSCs located there.
You can obtain additional information about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, boating safety
education and Vessel Safety Checks, and locate a flotilla unit nearest you, by visiting
www.cgaux.org and going to the "visitors"
section.
Wearing lifejackets, taking a boating safety course, boating sober, and getting an annual
Vessel Safety Check are important points that will make you a safer boater and a more confident
skipper - but, more importantly, they save lives. Boating safety organizations contend that doing
these four simple things aid in search and rescue prevention and help the Coast Guard, law
enforcement, and first responders too.
Perhaps it's true that, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Nevertheless,
your family and friends will enjoy themselves knowing that your boat has all of the appropriate
safety gear, is operating safely, and that you're a responsible boater. They'll thank you for it.
For more information about boating safety from the Coast Guard and Federal boating
requirements, visit
www.uscgboating.org.
You're in command - boat responsibly and boat smart from the start - get a Vessel Safety
Check.
Checked Out
Here are some suggestions to speed you along toward getting the coveted Vessel Safety Check decal.
Registration/Documentation - Always have your original registration or documentation papers handy.
Boat Registration Numbers - Make sure your registration numbers are permanently attached to both sides of the forward half of the boat. The numbers should be in 3-inch, plain, block letters, and in a contrasting color from the hull. The state decals must be placed correctly in accordance with your state's boating registration regulations.
Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices - Make sure that you have a personal
flotation device (PFD or lifejacket) for every person on board, in a readily accessible location
(and not still in its original plastic bags). Be sure the lifejackets are the correct size for each
passenger. Boats 16 feet or longer must also carry a throwable Type IV PFD as well. If you operate
a personal watercraft, you must wear your lifejacket and many states require the PFD to be
impact-rated. A 100-mph impact-rated PFD does not mean that you'll be protected in a 100-mph crash,
but rather, the PFD will still float after a 100-mph crash.
Visual Distress Signals - Be certain Visual Distress Signals (VDS), such as
flares, orange smoke, and other pyrotechnic devices, haven't expired. Pyrotechnic devices typically
have a 42-month shelf life. While some states don't require a day and/or night VDS, it's
recommended that all vessels carry both day (signal mirror, or orange flag) and night (strobe,
flashlight, or lantern) signals. It's also a good idea to attach a strobe light and whistle to each
PFD. Those small items and recommendations, while not required, can be obtained from most marine
dealers and marine catalog retailers.
Fire Extinguishers - Be sure your fire extinguishers are fully charged, you have
sufficient numbers of them for the type and size of your boat, and that they're U.S. Coast
Guard-approved. Mounting your fire extinguishers is also a great idea.
Ventilation System - If you have a powerboat with an inboard or inboard/outboard
(I/O) engine, make sure your ventilation system works and, if built after August 1, 1978, displays
a proper Certificate of Compliance.
Backfire Flame Arrestor Control Device - Check to make sure your inboard or I/O
gasoline engine has a functioning backfire flame arrestor control device. A non-working one can
result in a very hazardous situation.
Sound Producing Devices - Make sure your horn works, and if your boat requires it,
have a bell. Once again, it's also a good idea to attach a whistle to each PFD on board too. Learn
the proper use of sound signals and rules of the road.
Navigation Lights - Check your navigation lights regularly. Many times the
bulbs blow, so it's a good idea to carry spare bulbs. Remember, all boats operating between sunset
and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility must have navigation lights available for use
and operating.
Oil Discharge Pollution/Marine Pollution (MARPOL) Placards - Boats 26 feet and
over require both Oil Discharge Pollution and Marine Pollution (MARPOL) placards. Your Vessel
Examiner may have those placards to give you. If not, you can also get them from area marinas and
boat stores - they're often available at no charge. Marine Sanitation Devices (MSD) must be Coast
Guard-approved and waste discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed. Check yours!
Navigation Rules - Vessels over 39.4 feet are required to carry a copy of the
Coast Guard Navigation Rules (COLREGs), but it's a good idea for all boats to carry them, as well
as local navigation charts of the waters you boat on.
State Boating Regulations - Make sure you obtain and read a copy of your state and
local boating regulations so you can be certain your boat is in compliance. If you boat on waters
outside your state of registration, you're required to comply with those state regulations.