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Vessel Safety Check
Were you aware that you can receive a FREE
Vessel Safety Check of your boat, motor or sail, without risk or obligation?
This valuable service is provided by specially trained members of the Coast
Guard Auxiliary. Throughout the area, there are trained and qualified Vessel
Examiners ready to help ensure your boat is in tip-top safety condition.
A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is a FREE,
voluntary check of your boat and its safety equipment. Auxiliarists help educate
the boater through a direct, face-to-face boating safety information exchange
with the owner or operator and provide instructions on equipment to be carried
on board and other matters affecting safety. Federal and local regulations and
Auxiliary VSC requirements are explained as well as other matters of interest.
The VSC is performed only with the specific consent of the owner/operator, who
is present at the time of the examination.
A VSC is performed mainly on pleasure
vessels less than 65 feet in length and on certain commercial vessels which are
not inspected or certified by the Coast Guard. Auxiliary VSC requirements
parallel and sometimes exceed Federal regulations with regard to equipment to be
carried aboard and general condition of the boat.
One of the most commonly asked questions is, "What if my boat flunks?"
No problem, just schedule a second examination. The VSC is not a law
enforcement action. No one gets a copy of your failure to pass. You get a check
list of your needs and, often, help in obtaining them. Where to get another
examination isn't a dilemma either. Usually, an Auxiliary examiner will meet you
at your boat - back at the ramp or marina or even your house.
What's the incentive for you to have a VSC performed on your boat? Well, besides
the obvious feeling of satisfaction in knowing your boat is safe and prepared,
the boat displaying the Coast Guard Auxiliary "Seal of Safety" on its
port windshield signals to the boating world that a responsible skipper cares
about having a safe boat. Your guests and neighbors on the water will know
that your boat exceeds Federal and State safety equipment requirements.
So, how do you get a VSC ? You just have to ask. E-mail Bob DiCorcia at USCGAuxDiCorcia@aol.com.
He'll set you up with a local Auxiliary Vessel Examiner. In most cases, the
volunteer examiner will meet you at your boat. And, be sure to check back here
often as scheduled VSC "blitzes" will be posted.
Vessel Safety Check Megaweeks
May 20 through July 4
This plan for a special set aside period of time to maximize vessel safety
checks as part of a unified national effort, is a distillation of plans put
forth by various US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadron members.
It is intended to focus attention on the Vessel Safety Check Program through
the participation of CG Auxiliary Flotillas, Power Squadrons, and various
partnering organizations including marine equipment vendor establishments.
Time Frame and Locations
VSC Megaweeks will be a permanent annual event starting on the first Saturday of
National Safe Boating Week and ending on the 4th of July each year.
This year's event covers six weeks (seven weekends) which allows ample time
for local unit scheduling and flexibility around possible weather problems.
VSC Megaweeks starts with National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) for a strong kick
off to ensure maximum opportunities for Vessel Safety Checks to be performed at
ramps, marinas, and yacht clubs ending up with a blitz over the Independence Day
Weekend. Doing VSCs at marine store parking lots has not been successful
in most areas in the past but if manpower is available this area could be
covered.
Coordination and Advertising Efforts
Vessel Examiners, Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitors, Public Affairs
representatives, Public Education Instructors, and their respective staff
officers should stay in communication and coordinate VSC Megaweeks activities to
ensure optimum results.
Coordinate local promotions (Flotilla and Squadron) with marine equipment
vendors such as West Marine, Boat US, and Boaters World and other local
businesses.
In addition, if possible, the local Flotilla/Squadron should mount a public
affairs table in front of or inside the store during National Safe Boating Week
promoting the VSC Megaweeks push with appropriate promotional literature.
It is vitally important for the Flotillas/Squadrons to communicate the
location and time plans of the VSC stations to the local stores as well as
supplying them with printed lists of this information for distribution to
boaters at the cash register location.
The salesperson at the retail establishment should be encouraged to ask the
boater if they have had a VSC and direct them to where they may have one.
This would be a good time to mention that they would be entitled to a 10%
discount at the three retailers mentioned above for having the VSC. The
discount is obtained by presenting the boater's copy of the completed VSC 7012
form (pass or fail). That would get the boater back to the store after
having had a VSC. Local independent marinas and dealers should also be
encouraged to participate in this discount program.
Local CG Auxiliary Flotillas and US Power Squadrons should coordinate their
efforts to eliminate duplication at the local level.
Suggestions For Success
Adopt a Ramp Program
It is recommended that the individual Flotillas/Squadrons adopt ramps for a
prescribed period of time. For example a Flotilla/Squadron could commit to
staff a particular ramp or marina for an entire weekend, so that the boaters
would have the assurance of getting a VSC there. Examiners could be
scheduled for three to four hour shifts.
This information would be advertised locally and promoted through the local
marine equipment vendor at least several weeks to a month in advance.
Publicity
Make sure you get your PA officer to place an article in the local press about
VSC Megaweeks. Include the locations of VSC stations, the adopted marinas
and ramps, and vendor involvement well ahead of the event in your press release.
Contact boating magazines and get them to promote these events.
Promote Our Other Boating Safety Programs
While doing VSCs and staffing the PA tables we should promote our other programs
including the "I Want a VSC" which boaters may access at www.vesselsafetycheck.org
and the benefits of membership in the USCG Auxiliary / US Power Squadrons.
We also have the opportunity to introduce and sell the ABC course.
Promotion
This plan should be distributed to all levels of the organization. The
support and involvement of the NSBW staff officers is crucial to its success.
The Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitors should use their good offices
to make and coordinate these arrangements with the individual marine equipment
stores. Make sure they have the VSC location lists, VSC literature and
fliers, and have the store staff on board. Great VSC/ABC promotional
material can be found in the USCG, Office of Boating Safety, "You're in
Command" Resource Center at www.uscgboating.org/incommand.
This material is also available by order from ANSC (Auxiliary) or USPS
Headquarters.
YOU'RE IN COMMAND: BOAT SAFELY
Joseph L. Barcelo, DC-V
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