EVEN EXPERIENCED BOATERS NEED A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK!
A few minutes could save your life and the life of your family
It can also help prevent the inconvenience of an
enforcement stop on the water and also ensure that requirements checked on the
water will be in compliance.
A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is
performed at your boat − ranging in locations from a moored boat to a trailer
in your driveway. A VSC can take 30 minutes or more, depending upon the type
and size of your vessel, the level of compliance found and any
questions/discussion.
What's In it For Me?
Vessels passing safety checks are
awarded a written report and a U.S. Coast Guard Decal that informs federal and
state marine enforcers who may be encountered on the water:
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Local Harbor Patrol
- Sheriffs & Police marine
patrol
- Other boating law-enforcement and
safety agencies
that your boat was in full compliance
with all Federal and State boating laws during a safety check for that year.
Best of all every Vessel Safety Check is voluntary, 100% Free of charge,
without obligation or enforcement and performed by certified civilian volunteer
Vessel Examiners of the U.S. Power Squadrons and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
What Type of Items Are Checked?
Requirements vary from gas to diesel
power and sail as well as length and type of vessel and include vessels from
kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards to PWC’s and to those up to 65’
- Life Jackets
- Registration and numbering
- Navigation lights
- Ventilation
- Fire extinguishers
- Distress signals (flares, horn,
etc.)
- Battery cover and connections
All of these items are currently
required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result
in a citation if your vessel is inspected by federal or state marine enforcers.
Click the link below for the VSC form
used during the inspection [updated versions may occur]:
https://www.usps.org/images/Exec/Safety/vsc/VSC_ANSC7012_Rev5.pdf
What if I Don't Pass?
If your boat does not pass, you are
provided a written report with the deficiencies noted and a discussion in how
to correct them. Re-inspection upon correction can allow for passing and
awarding of the annual decal.
Why Receive a Vessel Safety Check?
Safety! The peace of mind that your
boat meets federal safety standards and that in an emergency you will have the
necessary equipment to save lives and summon help.
In many cases boating insurance
agencies offer discounts for vessels which undergo a Vessel Safety Check every
year. All decals and safety checks are void December 31st of year they are
inspected, they are also void should the operator /owner fail to maintain the
vessels equipment or the vessel itself to the standard at the time of the
safety check.
Lastly, the passing decal is an
outward display to marine enforcers that you have volunteered and passed the
safety inspection. The inspection covers all the same criteria used by marine
enforcers and usually includes some dialogue with the Vessel Examiner on new
regulations
Find an Examiner
Are you ready to get started on your
path to safer boating? Click the link below, then fill out the short request
form and click the submit button. The system will locate the closest volunteer Vessel
Examiners within 30 miles of your boat location and request that they contact
you and set up a Vessel Safety Check for your boat.
https://wow.uscgaux.info/i_want_a_vsc/index.php
