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Vessel Safety Check

Vessel Safety Check Overview

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 is a trained specialist and is a member of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. He or she will discuss safety issues and make recommendations that will help you become a safer boater.

Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but it does show you have made a serious commitment to boating safety.

What If I Fail?

A Vessel Safety Check is not a boarding or law enforcement issue. No citation will be given as a result of a Vessel Safety Check. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow the suggestions given. Individual evaluations are not reported back to the Coast Guard or any other authority. Only aggregate statistics are collected.

General Requirements*

1. Display of Numbers
2. Registration / Documentation
3. Personal Flotation Devices (PFD)
4. Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
5. Fire Extinguishers
6. Ventilation
7. Backfire Flame Control
8. Sound Producing Devices / Bell
9. Navigation Lights
10. Pollution Placard
11. MARPOL Trash Placard
12. Marine Sanitation Devices
13. Navigation Rules
14. State and/ or Local Requirements
15. Overall Vessel condition
16. Safe Galley and Heating Systems

*Not all these requirements apply to every boat.

How To Schedule A Vessel Safety Check?

There are three ways to request a Vessel Safety Check:

1. Vessel Examiners can be found at many marinas and ramps during the boating season.
2. Contact the Division 6 Vessel Safety Check Officer to request a Vessel Safety Check at your convenience.
3. Use the I Want A VSC link to coordinate at a time & location convenient to you.

Vessel Exam Checks

Introduction

National Statistics

Minimum Federal Requirements

State Regulations

Safety Tips

Accident Reporting

Free VSC Exams

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