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 one-on-one interaction will provide a vital opportunity to enhance a boater’s knowledge, and help ensure they have a safe, fun filled day on the water.

Becoming a Vessel Examiner

"So how do I become a certified Vessel Examiner?" Excellent question and easy to answer!

The process of qualifying as a Vessel Examiner is quite simple;

1st – You must locate all the materials that you will need. You should read and understand all the material!  This should be done before you take the online Vessel Examiner Exam located at the National Testing Center (NTC). You might consider having a VE mentor to help you study and prepare you for the final VE exam.

Since these materials can be difficult to locate, we have developed a list and provided links for you to make it easier.  These links will help guide you through the various reading material needed to successfully pass the online Vessel Examiner Exam:

Vessel Examiner Materials with LINKS

• The VSC Manual M16796.8A can be found at this link. Change one can be found at this link. Print the VSC manual to use as a study guide. 
  
  
• You should also be familiar with Forms ANSC-7003, ANSC-7008, ANSC-7012a, and ANSC-7038. They can be found on the forms page at this link.
  
  
• Additional guidance is available using a PowerPoint presentation for performing VSC’s on PWC's (this link) and Paddle Craft Virtual VSC (this link).
  
  
• Be familiar with the current VSC workshop (this link).
  
  
• The forms Vessel Examiners use are PDF files and are included in the "PDF" link (among other forms) here (this link)

Vessel Examiner Practice Test

Once you have studied the above reference material we recommend you take the Vessel Examiner Practice Test (this link). This exam will test your skill level if you are ready to take the online exam. The VSC practice exam has 100 questions with true/false and multiple choice questions. It has a separate answer sheet “Vessel Examiner Practice Test – Answer Sheet” (this link) with reference material to each question.  Your score is not recorded; however, you should get 90 questions correct.  This practice examination has questions taken from the VSC manual, Forms and the paddle craft/PWC sections in the VSC manual. 

Vessel Safety Check Exam/Requirements

Now, you should be ready to take the exam. Go to http://ntc.cgaux.org/ and take the online Vessel Examiner Exam. This is an open book exam and you will 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 around. This online exam has 30 questions with a three hour time limit and the passing score is 90%. The exam has multiple choice questions with four possible answers; however, only one answer is the best answer.

2nd - Once you successfully pass the online Vessel Examiner Exam, you will need to reach out to your flotilla Member Training or Vessel Examiner staff officers, to aid you in locating a current/qualified Vessel Examiner to assist you in the next step of the process. You then will need to complete five (5) supervised Vessel Safety Checks using the ANSC 7012 under the watchful eye of this current/qualified Vessel Examiner.

3rd - After you have completed your five (5) supervised Vessel Safety Checks, the supervising Vessel Examiner must properly report the VSC’s on a ANSC 7038 form, listing you as a "TRAINEE", and themselves as the "LEAD". Once the 7038 form is completed and submitted to the flotilla Information Services staff officer, they will enter it into AUXDATA.

4th – Once it is shown in the AUXDATA/AUXINFO system as having completed both the online Vessel Examiner exam, and five (5) Vessel Safety Checks, as a TRAINEE, then your flotilla will need to follow your Districts procedures regarding entering your certification into AUXDATA.

The key to becoming a great Vessel Examiner is all in the training. It can be done by classroom instruction along with hands on training, or by self-study along with some hands-on training. For additional training aides, visit the V-Directorate web site using this link.

We look forward to YOU becoming a part of the Vessel Examiner Team. One of our goals is to assist you in achieving this qualification. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.