Vessel Safety Check

Watch the video to find out what a Vessel Safety Check is and why you need one.

What is a Vessel Safety Check?

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 (VE) is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.

Safe Boating is NO Accident

Safety equipment is not only required depending on size of the vessel, it’s important and should be in good working order. A FREE Vessel Safety Check will help you in both of these key areas, meeting the Federal and Satet Safety Equipment requirements and making sure it’s in good working order..

Items included in the check:

Registration and documentation
Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets and type IV throwable device)
Visual distress signals
Fire extinguishers
Ventilation
Backfire flame control
Sound producing devices
Navigation lights
Other items required to meet Federal and State requirements
Overall vessel condition

Owners of vessels with satisfactory completion of a Safety Check are awarded a VSC decal to place on the boat. This signifies to the U.S. Coast Guard and Law Enforcement that the vessel complies with safety requirements.

Vessel Safety Checks are NOT a boarding or law enforcement issue. No citations will be given if the boats do not meet the safety requirements.

Boating Safety Education

During the Vessel Safety Check, the Vessel Examiner will discuss with the recreational boater the purpose of specific marine safety equipment, will clarify various Federal and State regulation, will discuss certain safety procedures and practices, and will answer any boating related questions. Some of the topics discussed are:

Accident reporting
Charts and aids to navigation
Survival tips
Fueling and fuel management
Float plans
Weather and sea conditions
Availability of boating safety classes