Vessel Exams

A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary who will make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

 

Courtesy Vessel Examination - For information on courtesy vessel examinations and finding a local vessel examiner in your area.  Once on the Vessel Safety Check website, please click "I want a VSC."

An example of some of the items checked include:

·Life Jackets

·Registration and numbering

·Navigation lights

·Ventilation

·Fire extinguishers

·Distress signals (flares, horns, etc.)

·Battery cover and connections

State and federal laws currently require all of these items, and if they are missing or non-operating, they can result in a citation if the Coast Guard inspects your vessel.

The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation later.

Commercial Fishing Vessel Examination - Contact the Coast Guard at Sector Delaware-Bay at 215-271-4880. Ask for Bob Heffner and specify if you're a commercial fishing, carrying passengers, or towing vessel. He will provide you a person to call to set up an appointment.