Vessel Safety Check Review : Vessel Safety Check Review Prepared by
Vessel Examination Division
USCG Auxiliary, V-Department
Vessel Safety Checks : Vessel Safety Checks The operative message is:
The VSC-DEPT. ------WE DELIVER!
Vessel Safety Check : Vessel Safety Check
Vessel Safety Check The History : Vessel Safety Check The History
Vessel Safety Check The History : Vessel Safety Check The History
Vessel Safety Check : Vessel Safety Check
Slide7 : The boat’s registration number must
be permanently attached to each
side of the forward half of the boat.
They must be plain, vertical, block
characters, not less than three (3)
inches high, and in a color
contrasting with the background.
A space or hyphen must separate
the letters From the numbers. Place
State tax Sticker according to State
policy. (e.g. FL 1234 AB or FL-1234-
AB) Item 1 - Display of Numbers:
Item 2 - Registration and Documentation: : Item 2 - Registration and Documentation:
Registration or Documentation papers must be on board and available. Documentation numbers must be permanently marked on a visible part of the interior structure.
The documented boat’s name and hailing port must be displayed on the exterior hull in letters not less than 4 inches in height. To be documented a boat must be 5 net tons or greater.
Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD) : Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD)
Slide10 : Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD):
Acceptable PFDs (Life Jackets)
Must be U.S. Coast Guard
approved, in good serviceable
condition, and of suitable size for
the each person on the boat.
Children must have properly fitted
PFDs designed for children.
Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD): : Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD): Wearable PFDs shall be "readily
accessible.“
Throwable devices shall be
"immediately available.“
PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened
Plastic packaging.
Item 3 Flotation Devices (50 & 100 MPH PFD): : Item 3 Flotation Devices (50 & 100 MPH PFD): WARNING:
50 & 100 MPH rated Life-jackets do not protect wearers from traumatic injury in a high speed crash.
The impact rating means that the PFD still be buoyant following a 50 or 100 MPH impact respectively.
Item 3 Flotation Devices Non-Serviceable and Substandard Type I Unicellular Plastic Foam Life Preservers : Item 3 Flotation Devices Non-Serviceable and Substandard Type I Unicellular Plastic Foam Life Preservers The US Coast Guard strongly recommends
That owners and operators carefully inspect
all of their older Type I unicellular plastic
foam PFDs.
Potential indications that a Type I unicellular
plastic foam PFD may no longer be serviceable
include:
Item 3 Flotation Devices : Item 3 Flotation Devices Compression: The PFD may be compressed from many years of stowage.
2. Loss of resiliency: The PFD is excessively hard, stiff or its foam is brittle. Normally after compressing the PFD to about half its initial thickness, the foam should expand to its original dimension in a short period of time.
Item 3 Flotation Devices : Item 3 Flotation Devices 3. Shrinkage: A physical reduction in size may be indicated by “wrinkling” of the coating on vinyl dipped type or by a loose fitting shell on a fabric-covered PFD.
Questions regarding this information may be addressed to Mr. Marty Jackson, Staff Engineer of the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Lifesaving & Fire Safety Standards Division at (202) 267.0710 or mjackson@comdt.uscg.mil.
Item 3 Flotation Devices : Item 3 Flotation Devices PFD INFLATION FAILURE DUE TO FALSE
POSITIVE SERVICE INDICATORS AND
INCORRECT CO2 CYLINDER INSTALLATION
There is a potential problem when installing CO2
cylinders that have bayonet tips in inflatable PFDs.
If a cylinder is not properly installed, the PFD will not
inflate with CO2. The problem may affect several
thousand PFDs, but the Coast Guard is only aware of
one incident to date.
Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD): : Item 3 Flotation Devices (PFD): For Personal Watercraft riders, many states require that the PFD be worn and they may also require an impact rating.
Boats 16 Feet or longer, must also
have one Type IV.
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals (VDS): : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals (VDS): Recreational boats 16 feet and over used on coastal
waters or the Great Lakes require a minimum of
either:
Three day and 3 night pyrotechnic devices, or 3 combination day/night devices.
Non-pyrotechnic devices day(flag) and one night (auto SOS light) or
A combination of 1) and 2). Recreational boats less than 16 feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual distress signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals (VDS): : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals (VDS):
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued It is recommended, but not required, that
boats operating on non-coastal waters should have
some means of making a suitable day and
night distress signal.
The number and type of signals is best judged by
Considering conditions under which the boat will be
operating.
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals Continued Night Day
Strobe light Signal mirror
Flashlight Red or orange flags
Lantern Hand signals
Flares Flares
Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals : Item 4 - Visual Distress Signals
Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: : Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers:
Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: : Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: Fire extinguishers are required if one of the following conditions exists:
Inboard engine(s)
Closed compartments that store
portable fuel tanks
(3) Double bottom hulls not completely
sealed or not completely filled with
flotation material
Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: Continued : Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: Continued (4) Closed living space
(5) Closed stowage compartments that contain flammable materials or
(6) Permanently installed fuel tanks
NOTE: Fire extinguishers must be serviceable and should be stored or mounted to be easily accessible.
Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: Continued : Item 5 - Fire Extinguishers: Continued Minimum number of extinguishers required
Boat Length No Fixed System With Fixed System
Less than 26’ One B-1 None
26’ to less than 40’ Two B-1 or one B-2 One B-1
40’ to 65’ Three B-1 or Two B-1 or
One B1 & One B-2 One B-2
Item 6 - Ventilation: : Item 6 - Ventilation: Boats with gasoline engines in closed
compartments, built after 1 August
1980 must have a powered ventilation
system.
Those built prior to that date must
have natural or powered ventilation.
Item 6 - Ventilation: : Item 6 - Ventilation: Boats with closed fuel tank
Compartments built after
August 1, 1978 may meet
requirements by displaying
a "certificate of compliance."
Boats built before that date
must have either natural or
powered ventilation in the
fuel tank compartment.
Item 7 - Backfire Flame Control: : Item 7 - Backfire Flame Control: All gasoline powered inboard/outboard
or inboard motor boats must be
equipped with an approved backfire
flame control device. Must be clean and not oily.
Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices / Bell: : Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices / Bell:
To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile.
Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices / Bell, Horn: : Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices / Bell, Horn:
Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices : Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices Recent changes in the Navigation Rules effectively have changed the requirements for the carriage of a bell on both International, and by default, Inland waters. State laws may still require bell.
Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices Bell: : Item 8 - Sound Producing Devices Bell: Boats 20 meters and over are required to carry a bell of 300 mm minimum diameter.
Boats from 12 to less than 20 meters are not required to carry a bell (check your state regulations) but must be able to make the appropriate bell sound when operating under the Inland Navigation Rules.
Item 9 - Navigation Lights: : Item 9 - Navigation Lights: All boats must be able to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility.
Boats 16 feet or more in length must have properly installed, working navigation lights and an all-around anchor light capable of being lit independently from the red/green/white "running" lights.
Item 9 - Navigation Lights: : Item 9 - Navigation Lights:
Item 10 - Pollution Placard: : Item 10 - Pollution Placard:
Boats 26 feet and over must
display an oily waste
"pollution" placard.
Item 10 - Pollution Placard: : Item 10 - Pollution Placard:
Item 11 - MARPOL Trash Placard: : Item 11 - MARPOL Trash Placard: Boats 26 feet and over in length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard.
Oceangoing Boats 40 feet and over must also display a written trash disposal plan.
Item 11 - MARPOL Trash Placard: : Item 11 - MARPOL Trash Placard:
Item 12 - Marine Sanitation Devices: : Item 12 - Marine Sanitation Devices: Any installed toilet
must be a Coast
Guard approved
device.
Overboard discharge
outlets must be
capable of being
sealed.
Item 13 - Navigation Rules: : Item 13 - Navigation Rules: Boats 39.4 feet and over , when operating on Inland Waters, must have on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.
Item 13 - Navigation Rules Rules of the Road : Item 13 - Navigation Rules Rules of the Road
Item 14 - State and/ or Local Requirements: : Item 14 - State and/ or Local Requirements: These requirements must be met before the "Vessel Safety Check" decal can be awarded.
A boat must meet the requirements of the state in which it is being examined.
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: Deck free of hazards and clean bilge:
The boat must be free from fire hazards, in good overall condition, with bilges reasonably clean and visible hull structure generally sound. The use of automobile parts on boat engines is not acceptable. The engine horsepower must not exceed that shown on the capacity plate.
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: Safe Electrical and Fuel Systems:
The electrical system - Must be protected by
fuses or manual reset circuit breakers.
Switches and fuse panels must be protected
from rain or water spray. Wiring must be in
good condition, properly installed and with
no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation.
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: Safe Electrical and Fuel Systems:
Batteries must be secured and terminals
covered to prevent accidental arcing
All PWCs require an operating self circling or
kill switch mechanism.
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition:
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: Fuel Systems - Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity or less) must be constructed of non-breakable material and free of corrosion and leaks.
All vents must be capable of being closed. The tank must be secured and have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap. Each permanent fuel tank must be properly ventilated.
Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: : Item 15 - Overall Vessel Condition: Safe Galley and Heating Systems:
System and fuel tanks must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby.
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Marine Radio
Dewatering Device and Back-up
Mounting Fire Extinguishers
Anchor and Line
Capacity/Certificate of Compliance
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Accident Reports/Owner Responsibility
The boat owner retains responsibility for what
occurs on their boat, even when they are not
present.
Offshore Operations
Boat operators are required by law to extend
help to other boaters in distress. Failure to
assist is a felony punishable by fines and/or
prison.
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Fueling/Fuel Management
Refuel portable tanks away from the vessel.
Close all hatches and openings before fueling.
Don’t smoke while fueling.
Turn off engines, electrical systems, and any spark producing items.
Remove all passengers.
Keep the fill nozzle in contact with the tank and clean up any spills.
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Fueling/Fuel Management
After Fueling:
Open all hatches and openings
Check bilges and “sniff test” boat for fuel vapor
Run blowers for at least 4 minutes before
starting engine
Always use the One Third Rule
One third of fuel going out
One third of fuel for coming back
One third of fuel as a reserve
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Insurance Considerations
Most States require proof of Insurance before you
can register your boat.
Coverage should include:
Loss of, or damage to, boat
Loss of, or damage to, equipment
Liability Coverage; personal injury and property
Medical coverage
Towing; over both land and water
Slide56 : Additional Discussion Items
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Carbon Monoxide
CO symptoms are similar to seasickness or alcohol intoxication?
CO can affect you whether you're underway, moored, or anchored?
You cannot see, smell, or taste CO?
CO can make you sick in seconds. In high enough concentrations, even a few breaths can be fatal?
Additional Discussion Items Carbon Monoxide : Additional Discussion Items Carbon Monoxide Each Time You Go On a Boat Trip
Make sure you know where CO exhaust outlets are located on your vessel.
Educate all passengers about the symptoms of CO poisoning and where CO may accumulate.
When docked, or rafted with another boat, be aware of exhaust emissions from the other boat.
Confirm that water flows from the exhaust outlet when the engines and generator are started.
Listen for any change in exhaust sound, which could indicate an exhaust component failure.
Test the operation of each CO alarm by pressing the test button.
Additional Discussion Items : Additional Discussion Items Carbon Monoxide Hazards caused by
Generator Exhaust
Remind Recreational Boaters about Carbon Monoxide Hazards
caused by Generator Exhaust. The Coast Guard advises
owners and operators of boats to turn off gasoline-powered
generators with transom exhaust ports when the swim
platform on the stern is in use. Swimmers should not enter
the cavity of a boat designed with a generator emitting
exhaust into the cavity between the swim platform and the
transom of the vessel.
FILE A FLOAT PLAN : FILE A FLOAT PLAN A float plan contains information about the operator and the vehicle used to transport the vessel as well as the vessel itself.
The plan also includes the expected route of travel along with a date and time of arrival and departure. Taking a few minutes to post a float plan with friends or loved ones is a great life insurance policy.
CHECK THE WEATHER : CHECK THE WEATHER Monitor and evaluate weather conditions.
Purchase a waterproof and portable weather radio or use a VHF radio that has a weather channel.
Check sky and sea conditions and never operate in an environment that exceeds personal capability.
FIRST AID KIT Pack a waterproof First Aid kit and insure that it is secured to your boat. In addition to the kit consider completing basic first aid training and CPR : FIRST AID KIT Pack a waterproof First Aid kit and insure that it is secured to your boat. In addition to the kit consider completing basic first aid training and CPR
VHF Radio, GPS, Compass : VHF Radio, GPS, Compass Bring along electronic communication and navigation devices such as a VHF Radio, GPS, and Cellular Phone.
Include a waterproof hand held compass as a back up in case
CHARTS : CHARTS When operating in coastal waters or navigable rivers, carry a chart and try to obtain local knowledge of waterway conditions.
Familiarize yourself with basic coastal navigation procedures.
OTHER ITEMS : OTHER ITEMS
BOATING SAFETY COURSE : BOATING SAFETY COURSE All boaters should be encouraged to take a Boating Safety Course such as America’s Boating Course.
CLEAN UP : CLEAN UP Pack a trash bag. Take all refuse away with you.
Leave every stop or campsite cleaner than when you found it.
Slide68 : The Vessel Safety Check Program is an important assist to Homeland Security and the active Coast Guard
“Preventive Search and Rescue saves lives and also creates opportunities for our limited active Coast Guard resources to conduct missions other than Search and Rescue, which is extremely valuable within the current maritime security environment... “
Capt. David B. Hill, CHDIRAUX
Slide70 : VSC Review
Vessel Examination Division
USCG Auxiliary, V-Department
&
United States Power Squadrons
The VSC-DEPT. ------WE DELIVER!
Peter Urgola DC-V