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Vessel Examiner Member Information

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A VESSEL EXAMINER

The Coast Guard Auxiliary member is a Civilian volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard that advocates boating safety.  They promote safe practices for all recreational vessels, personal watercraft, kayaks and paddle boards. Auxiliary members have the option to become Vessel Examiners and promote RBS programs.  One of most efficient ways to promote these programs is offering a free Vessel SafetyCheck (VSC) to boaters and their families.  Vessel Examiners have no legal authority – their goal is to examine safety equipment and prevent safety-related accidents. This program is designed to help educate and promote safe practices for all boaters and paddlers. The Auxiliary VSC program was stated in 1996.  The Auxiliary offers and promotes several boating classes and educational programs.  Welcome to the Vessel Examiner Program.

RBS PROGRAMS

For those Auxiliary members who plan to expand their knowledge under the Recreation Boating Safety (RBS) programs. The Auxiliary offers three “RBS” Programs:

• Recreational Boating Safety Outreach,  B–Directorate

• Public Education,  E–Directorate

• Vessel Examination (VE)and Partner Visitation (PV), V–Directorate 

All three programs are important; however, the V - Directorate offers the VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PROGRAM.  All Auxiliary members should know this program which offers free safety education to boaters and paddlers.  It discusses and ensures marine safety equipment compiles with federal, state and local regulations. Most important, the program offers face-to–face boating education by promoting safe boating practices on the water.  The VE material will help the Auxiliary member to become a Vessel Examiner.

Under V-Directorate website, some VE categories are discussed in this article. They include: Becoming a Vessel Examiner, VSC Manual, VE forms, online VE exam study materials, and the new practice VE Exam.  Also, included on the DSO-VE web page is:

• Promoting the “RBS Device”,

• Re-ordering VSC decals using “Standard Operating Procedures” (SOP),

• Job descriptions and information on how to capture member Information for VEs (REWK, REYR) and status counts for each member. 

Knowing your member status is important because it keeps auxiliary members current for all programs.  This easy step by step process is listed as:“CAPTURE MEMBER INFORMATION”

Becoming a Vessel Examiner

Becoming a Vessel Examiner should be a major commitment from you, to the Auxiliary and to the boating community.  It allows you to promote the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Program.  It also provides a one-on-on examination to ensure vessels are safe from bow to stern and its equipment comply with federal, state and local safety requirements.  Knowing and understanding the VSC manual is essential to become a successful Vessel Examiner.  You are expected to know all the guide lines found on forms and workshops.  Paddle craft is becoming an important topic for the Coast Guard/Auxiliary because of high accidents and fatalities.  VEs are expected to know the terminology and all the safety equipment required for a safe paddling experience for different waters.  Questions are included on the online exam.

VESSEL EXAMINER STATISTICS*

Did you know since 1996, the CG Auxiliary has conducted over three million Vessel Safety Checks?  Also, our partners, American Boat Club (formally called Power Squadron), and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environment Protection (CTDEEP) another 528,000 and 18,000 VSCs have been completed.  From 2011 – 2019, VE members have performed 213,000 paddle craft VSCs

*Coast Guard 2019 Recreational Boating Statistics Report by Captain Johnson

WHY IS THE VSC PROGRAM IMPORTANT?

In calendar year 2020, the Coast Guard counted 5,265 accidents that involved 767 deaths, and 3,191 injuries.   Most accident victims 86% was not wearing a life jacket.  Eight out every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length. Where instruction was known, 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating instruction.  Compared to 2019, the number accidents increased 26% and deaths/injuries increased 25%.  Open motorboats had 376 (298 - 2019) deaths, PWCs 66 (46 - 2019), pontoon 67(40-2019) and paddle craft had 153(125-2019) fatalities.  Where data was known, the vessels with the highest percentage of deaths were open boats (50%), kayaks (15%) and pontoons (9%).  For your personal interest and a better understanding of the VSC manual review the 2020 RECREATIONAL BOATING STATISTICS REPORT.  Link:

https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2020

HOW TO BECOME A VESSEL EXAMINER

As a certified Vessel Examiner, you will have the unique opportunity to work with and educate the recreational boating public.  This interaction will provide an exchange of safety/equipment ideas to enhance boater’s knowledge, and help ensure they have a safe, enjoyable day on the water.

“So, how do I become a certified Vessel Examiner?”  The process of qualifying as a Vessel Examiner is quite simple.

1^st– You must locate all the materials that you will need to read and study, prior on taking the recommended  Practice Exam and the online Vessel Exam located on  the national VE website.  The online VE examination has a bank of 100 questions; however, only 30 questions are asked on the exam.  This test is open book with a three-hour time limit.  It has multiple choice questions with four answers and requires a 90% passing score; however, you can miss only three questions.    Auxiliarists can take the exam more than once or until they pass!  Questions are taken from the "VSC Manual COMDTINST M 16796.8" a, current VE workshop and ANS-VE forms listed below.

• Study the VSC Manual and forms!  Don’t expect to pass without studying! The time limit is very short.  Locating answers to test questions can be challenging if you don’t know where the question material is in the VSC manual or on the VE forms.  PRINT THE VSC MANUAL and study!  We recommend having a mentor to help you study and navigate thru the various VE websites.  Remember, the Vessel Examiner should consider themselves as the Experts in safety/equipment material.

• Be familiar with Forms ANSC-7003, ANSC-7008, ANSC-7012 and ANSC-7038. Print and known what each form is used for.         

• Additional guidance is available by studying PWC’s and Paddle Craft chapters found in the VSC manual. Questions are asked on these chapters. Review current VE workshop!

NEW VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PRACTICE EXAM

The VSC Practice Exam is optional; however, it is highly recommended because it will test your skill level if you are ready to take the online VE exam.  It has similar questions found on the online VE exam. There is no time limited and you can take this exam as often as you wish.  This practice exam has 100 questions, true & false and multiple-choice questions.  All questions are taken from the VSC Manual, ANSC forms, and the current VE workshop.  The Practice Exam is located on the National VE website under “Job-Aid kits”.

PRACTICE VE EXAM AND ANSWER SHEET INFORMATION

A new feature was added for 2022.

When you the complete the Practice Exam you should click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the exam page. This grades the exam immediately (new), identifies wrong answers and explains where to fine the correct answer.  Passing this exam will help you pass the online exam.  Missing 10 questions is equivalent to 90%. No records are recorded in AUXDATA 2 when this exam is taken.

ONLINE VESSEL EXAMINER EXAM

Once you are familiar with the above references (manual/forms/workshop) go to: 

ntc.cgaux.org

and take the online Examiner VE Exam.  As stated, this is an open book exam and you get your results as soon as you complete the exam.  You can retake this exam as many times as you need if you don’t pass it the first time.  This exam has a three-hour time limit, thirty multiple choice questions with four possible answers.  When taking the online exam, you should eliminate the answer which is absolutely wrong.  Normally, there are two answers that have similar meanings; however, only one is the best answer which applies to the question.  All the questions/answers are written to avoid ambiguous wording.

2^nd – After taking and passing the exam, trainees must satisfactorily conduct five Vessel Safety Checks (VSCs) under the observation of a current/ certified vessel examiner.  The Vessel Safety Check form ANSC 7012 must be used for this purpose (no paddle craft). To remain qualified as a VE, you must properly report into AUXDATA 11 a minimum of five VSCs, which can include:

• Vessels up to 65ft

• PWCs

• Paddle Craft or Auxiliary facility inspections annually

In your first year of VE qualification you are NOT required to perform the five additional checks examinations/inspections.

3^rd – After you have completed your five supervised Vessel Safety Checks, the supervising VE must properly report the VSC’s on ANSC 7038 form.  The examiner will list you as a “trainee” and themselves as the lead.

You might need to contact your FSO-IS officer to help you enter the information into AUXATO 11

NATIONAL VESSEL EXAMINER WEBSITES

These sites were developed for future Vessel Examiners.  Some of the information written by the DSO-VE will also be found on these web pages.  Please read everything and review links.

• National VE website
  

• VE Workshop

• Job Aid Kit

• Vessel Examiner forms

This step-by-step process takes you to the National VE website:

1. Type in “CGAUX.ORG”
2. Click on: “Get a VSC”, read VSC,  left side
3. Click on: “Vessel Examination”, read title page
4. On page Vessel Examination-lift side ,you will see “Job Aid Kit”
5. Review Virtual VSCs for vessels and paddle craft
6. On same Vessel Examination page click on “Job Aid Kit. You will find:
• Become a VE, click link and read
• Job Descriptions, click and  read
• Review -  VSC/FAQ
• Practice exam, take when you feel ready, review your errors
• VE manual, Print and study

We look forward to you becoming a part of the Vessel Examination team.  My goal is to assist you in achieving this qualification.  If you have questions or need help, please let me know.

Ed Lieblein, DSO-VE

[email protected]

309 788- 2793 H

309 798- 8108 C

More Vessel Safety Check information is posted on the DSO-VE web site.