FREE - Vessel Safety Check
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 2-76 Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Requirements
Your Vessel Safety Check will be completed by a U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Examiner. A Federal Requirements pamphlet is also available. This is not an official boarding for law enforcement purposes. It is recommended that you correct any deficiencies noted. This checklist is furnished for your information. There is no assumption of liability of any kind for advice given or opinions expressed in connection to this examination
Have you attended a Boating Safety Class?
Registration or Documentation Number.
Length of your vessel.
Inland or coastal area of Operations?
- Correct Display of Numbers - The boat's registration number must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat characters must be plain, vertical, block style, 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 validation sticker according to State policy.
- Registration/Documentation - Registration or Documentation papers must be on board and available. Documentation numbers must be permanently marked on a visible part of tile 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.
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) - Acceptable PFDs (also known as Life Jackets) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved and in good. serviceable condition. A wearable PFD of suitable size is required for every person on the boat. Children must have properly fitted PFDs designed for children. Wearable PFDs shall be "readily accessible.
Boats 16 Feet or longer must also have one Type IV (throwable) device, which shall be "immediately available". PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging. For Personal Watercraft riders, the PFD MUST be worn. An impact rating is recommended, but not required.
- Visual Distress Signals (VDS) - Recreational boats 16 feet and over, used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes, are required to carry either 1) three day and three night pyrotechnic devices, 2) one day non-pyrotechnic device (flag) and one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light) or 3) 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.
It is recommended, but not required, that boats operating on inland 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 condition under which tile boat will be operating.
- Fire Extinguishers - are required if one of the following conditions exists:
- Inboard engine(s)
- Double bottom hulls not completely sealed or not completely filled with flotation materials
- Closed living space
- Closed stowage compartments that contain flammable materials
- Permanently installed fuel tanks.
Recreational boats less than 26 feet, and propelled by outboard motors are NOT required to have fire extinguishers unless one or more of the conditions (2-5 listed above) applies.
NOTE: Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and verified as Serviceable.
| Minimum number of extinguishers required: |
|---|
| Boat Length | No Fixed System | With Fixed system |
|---|
| Less than 26' | one B-1 | 0 |
| 26' to less than 40' | two B-I or one B-2 | one B-I |
| 40' to 65' | three B-I or one B-I and one B-2 | two B-1 or one B-2 |
- Ventilation - Boats with gasoline engines in closed compartments, built after August 1, 1980, must have a powered ventilation system. Those built prior to that date must have natural or powered ventilation. Boats with closed fuel tank compartments, built after August 1, 1978, must 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.
- Backfire Flame Control - All gasoline powered inboard/outboard or inboard motor boats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device.
- 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 Q mile. Boats larger than 39.4 feet are also required to have a bell. (see Navigation Rules.)
- 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 most have properly installed, working navigation lights and an all-around anchor light capable of being lit independently from the red/green/white "running" lights.
- Pollution Placard - Boats 26 feet and over, with a machinery compartment, must display an oily waste "Pollution" placard.
- MARPOL Trash Placard - Boats 26 feet and over, in length, operating in U.S. navigable waters, must display a "MARPOL" trash placard. Ocean going boats 40 feet and over must also have a written trash disposal plan available onboard.
- Marine Sanitation Devices - Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed.
- Navigation Rules, - Boats 39.4 feet and over must have on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.
- State and/or Local 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.
- Overall Vessel Condition: as applies
- Deck Free of Hazards / 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.
- Electrical System - 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. Batteries must be Secured and terminals covered to prevent accidental arcing. If installed, self-circling or kill switch mechanism must be in proper working order. All PWCs require an operating self circling or kill switch mechanism.
- Fuel System - 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.
- Galley and Heating Systems - System and fuel tanks Must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby.