Vessel Examiner
A potential Vessel Examiner must review the
Vessel Safety Check Manual (M16796.8A) for all
directions to the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program. Additional guidance is available for
checks on personal water craft (PWCs) and
checks on paddlecraft.
A trainee must then complete the
Vessel Examiner Exam (VE) online at the National Testing Center.
A practice exam is available online for a trainee to review their knowledge of the VE materials. The trainee's final test is to conduct five VSCs under the supervision of a certified VE. The five VSCs must be reported on
form ANSC 7038.
Maintaining certification
To keep an active certification as a VE, you must conduct at least five VSCs per year. Failure to do five VSCs means you must conduct two supervised VSCs in a year or certification will lapse after five years. A VE must also review the annual workshop,
now available for 2024 (and
as a PDF), and complete
the self-attestation form after reviewing it.
Other resources for Examiners
Potential Vessel Examinations staff officers at the flotilla, division and district levels
can take advantage of these informative job descriptions. The 2023 annual
National Vessel Examination Summary is also now available.