| Flotilla 34 |
| VESSEL SAFETY CHECK FSO-VE - Anita Rossi |
| The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free safety checks to those boaters who wish to insure that their boats meet Federal and State requirements. The Vessel Examiners who conduct these inspections are specially trained and are kept informed on the latest requirements for boaters. Vessel examiners are not law enforcement officers and have no legal authority to issue citations. Their goal is to check that you have all required items on board and if everything is present and in good working order; they will issue a decal to affix to your boat. If you wish, they will explain the reason for the various safety equipment requirements and explain how the safety equipment works. If you wish to arrange for a Vessel Safety Check for your boat: (1) If your boat is trailerable, you may bring it to the boat launching area at Cashman Park in Newburyport, MA on Saturday mornings. A Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Inspection Station will be in operation and an inspector will usually be on hand to check your boat. You must have a valid Registration with you. |
| Following is a list and explanation of the items which will be checked during a Vessel Safety Check. 1. NUMBERING - Boat registration number must be permanently attached, each side. on the front half of the boat. Numbers must be plain, vertical block letters, not less than 3 inches and in a color contrasting with background. A space or hyphen must separate letters from numbers. 2. REGISTRATION / DOCUMENTATION - Registration or documentation papers must be onboard. 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 with letters not less than 4 inches high. 3. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFD's) - Acceptable PFD's (also know as life jackets must be Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition, and of suitable size for each person on board. Children must have properly fitted PFDs, wearable PFDs shall be readily accessible, throwable devices shall be "immediately available Inflatable PFDs must be worn to be considered. PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging. For personal Watercraft riders, the PFD must be worn and in an impact rating. Boats 16 feet or longer must also have one Type IV on board. 4. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS - Recreational boats used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes are required to carry a minimum of 3 CG approved (with current date) day / night visual distress signals. Some signals (e.g. red flares) can serve for both day and night. Boaters operating on inland waters should have some means of making a suitable day and night distress signal. The number and type Visual Distress Signals is best judged by considering conditions under which the boat will be operating. 5. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - Every power boat requires a minimum of one CG approved "B-1" extinguisher. Only row boats and sailboats less than 16 feet with no mechanical propulsion are exempt. Note: Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and verified as serviceable. 6. VENTILATION - Boats with gasoline engines in enclosed compartments, built after 1 Aug 1980 must have a powered ventilation system. Thos built prior to that date must have natural powered ventilation. 7. BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTER - All gasoline powered inboard/outboard or inboard motorboats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device. 8. SOUND PRODUCING DEVICES - To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.). Boats larger than 39.4 feet are also required to have a bell. 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 on independently from the red/green. white "running lights". 10. POLLUTION PLACARD - Boats 26 feet and over with a machinery compartment must display an oily waste " pollution" placard. 11. MARPOL TRASH PLACARD - Boats 26 feet and over must display a "MARPOL: trash placard. Boats 40 feet and over must also display a written trash disposal plan. 12. MARINE SANITATION DEVICE - Any installed toilet must be a CG approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed. 13. NAVIGATION RULES - Boats 39.4 feet and over must have on board a current copy of U.S. Navigation Rules. 14. STATE AND 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. 15. OVERALL BOAT CONDITION - Including, but not limited to : deck free of hazards, clean, safe electrical and fuel systems. |
| Point Shore Flotilla - Amesbury, Massachusetts
1st District Northern Region |
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