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 preventive means. The VSC program supports one of the program's key goals: To improve the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities and safety awareness 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 boaters' awareness of safety issues through one-on-one contact by volunteer 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

· Ventilation

· Registration/Documentation

· Back Flame Control

· Personal Floatation Devices

· Navigation Lights

· Visual Distress Signals

· State & Local Requirements

· Fire Extinguishers Overall Vessel Condition

Benefits of a Vessel Safety Check:

· A Vessel Safety Check can identify SAFETY and money saving opportunities.

· By preventing citations, you can insure meeting federal, state, and local safety equipment requirements.

· By identifying educational and equipment-related possible boating 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.

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 regulations, to review local boating conditions, to answer any boating-related safety questions, and to encourage additional boater education.

Some of the topics are:

· Charts and Aids

· Survival Tips

· Fueling/Fuel Management

· Weather & Sea Conditions

· Float Plan

The United States Power Squadrons^® and

the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

"Partners in Boating Safety"

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Hampton Roads Sail and Power Squadron will be performing Free Vessel Safety Checks:

at Marinas throughout the Tidewater area.
Make an appointment for your Free Vessel Safety Check

Do you trailer a boat, live on the water, or keep your boat in a local marina in the local Tidewater Area (Suffolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Hampton, Norfolk, Virginia Beach)?? Some of our Examiners will even come to your home to perform your courtesy Vessel Safety Check.

Members of HRPS may call any vessel examiner listed in the Squadron Directory for a free Vessel Safety Check.