Shallotte River Sail and Power Squadron

A unit of United States Power Squadrons® Sail and Power Boating

America's Boating Club^®

Vessel Safety Check

Introduction               

The mission of the Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety program is to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage and negative environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventative means. The VSC program supports one of the program goals: To improve the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors of boaters.

The VSC program helps to achieve voluntary compliance with federal, state and local recreational boating safety laws, particularly regarding the carriage of safety equipment. It also heightens the boater’s awareness of safety issues through one-on-one contact by the volunteer vessel examiners.

What is a Vessel Safety Check?          It is a free check of a vessel’s equipment for compliance with federal, state and local safety requirements.

 Some of the items we check are:            

• Proper  display of numbers                                         

•  Registration/Documentation  

• Personal Flotation Devices 

• Fire Extinguishers

•  Ventilation

•  Backfire Flame Control

•  Sound Producing Devices

•  Navigation Lights

•  State and Local Requirements

•  Overall Vessel Condition

Boating Safety Education

During the Vessel Safety Check, the vessel examiner has an opportunity to discuss with a fellow boater the purpose of the marine safety equipment, to clarify various federal, state and local regulation, to review local boating conditions, to answer any boating related safety questions and to encourage additional boater education.

Some of the topics are:                                

•          Accident Reporting

•         Charts and Aids

•          Survival Tips

•         Fueling/Fuel Management

•          Float Plan

•         Weather and Sea Conditions

•         Safe Boating Classes

Benefits of a Vessel Safety Check

A Vessel Safety Check can identify SAFETY and money saving opportunities:  

•         By preventing citations by meeting federal, state and local safety regulations.

•         By identifying educational and equipment related possible insurance discounts.

•         By increasing awareness of safety practices to avoid accidents and costly            breakdowns.

A Vessel safety check can reduce accidents and injuries by educating the boater as to the value and use of marine safety equipment, and other safe practices on the water.

  How to get A FREE Vessel Safety Check.

  Contact one of the Shallotte River Sail & Power Squadron examiners in your area: