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 requirements per State and the Federal regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers these free safety checks to ensure boaters meet these requirements. The Vessel Examiners who perform these checks are specially trained and kept informed on the latest legal requirements for boaters

REQUEST A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK HERE

What items are checked? 

•BOATING SAFETY CLASS
•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 ITEMS

While not required for the award of the "Vessel Safety Check" decal, we recommend these additional topics are covered. Adhering to these additional guidelines reflects your concern for family, friends, and general boating safety 

•Marine radio use
•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
•Accident reporting / Owner responsibility
•Offshore operations
•Use of Nautical charts / Navigation aids
•Survival tips / First aid
•Fueling / Fuel management
•Float plan / Weather & sea conditions
•Insurance considerations