Vessel Safety Check (VSC)
ABOUT VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS
A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a courtesy examination of your boat to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free safety checks to boaters who wish to be sure that their boats meet these requirements. The Vessel Examiners who perform these checks are specially trained and kept informed on the latest legal requirements for boaters.
Vessel Examiners have no legal authority and no citations will be issued. You will be provided a copy of the evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display a Coast Guard Auxiliary VSC decal. Displaying a current VSC decal informs the Coast Guard & Auxiliary, Harbor Patrol, Sheriff, Police and other boating law-enforcement that your boat was found compliant with all Federal and State upon inspection. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.
What is in a Vessel Safety Check?
- NUMBERING
- REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION
- PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFDs)
- VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
- FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
- VENTILATION
- BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTER
- SOUND PRODUCING DEVICES
- NAVIGATION LIGHTS
- POLLUTION PLACARD
- MARINE SANITATION DEVICE
- NAVIGATION RULES
- STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS
- OVERALL BOAT CONDITION
- HAZARD FREE DECK AND CLEAN BILGE
- SAFE ELECTRICAL AND FUEL SYSTEMS
- SAFE GALLEY AND HEATING SYSTEMS
RECOMMENDED AND DISCUSSION ITEMS: (Not required for the award of the "Vessel Safety Check" decal.) For the very best boaters, we recommend these additional items. Meeting these requirements reflects your concern for Boating Safety
- Marine radio
- Dewatering device & backup
- Mounted fire extinguishers
- Anchor & line for area
- First aid kit
- Person in the water (PIW) kit (one extra
- wearable PFD and a throwable type IV PFD w/line)
- Inland visual distress signals
- Capacity / Cert. of Compliance
- Discussion Items are educational in nature and
- add value to the Vessel Safety Check program:
- Accident reporting / Owner responsibility
- Offshore operations
- Nautical charts / Navigation aids
- Survival tips / First aid
- Fueling / Fuel management
- Float plan / Weather & sea conditions
- Insurance considerations
- Boating check list
- Safe boating classes