Southport Sail & Power Squadron
Vessel Safety Check
The Vessel Safety Check process is one of "prevention through education, outreach and volunteer compliance" helping recreational boaters to gain a respect for the boating environment. It is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make recommendations and discuss safety issues that will make you a safer boater.
A Vessel Safety Check is not a boarding or a law enforcement event. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter.
We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.
The following represents a sampling of 100,650 Vessel Safety Checks:
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74.873% Passed the VSC
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25.127% Failed the VSC
Items that Failed:
(Note: This is a percentage of ALL vessels examined and some had two or more items that failed so these numbers will not add up to 100%.)
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Display of Numbers - 5.435%
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Registration / Documentation - 5.574%
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Visual Distress Signals - 12.221%
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Fire Extinguishers - 4.501%
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Ventilation - 1.451%
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Backfire Flame Control - 1.639%
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Sound Producing Devices / Bell - 5.156%
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Navigation Lights - 8.465%
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Pollution Placard - 2.375%
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MARPOL Trash Placard - 2.802%
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Marine Sanitation Device - 2.921%
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Navigation Rules - 2.742%
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State and/or Local Regulations - 10.432%
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Overall Vessel Condition - 4.670%
Recommended Items Not Found:
(Note: These items are not required to pass the VSC.)
Marine Radio - 33.433%
Dewatering Device & Backup - 14.347%
Mounted Fire Extinguishers - 21.570%
Anchor & Line for Area - 11.257%
First Aid and PIW Kits - 27.928%
Inland Visual Distress Signals - 24.252%
Capacity / Cert. of Compliance - 28.246%
Discussion Items - 14.704%
Accident Reporting / Owner Responsibility
Offshore Operations
Nautical Charts / Navigation Aids
Survival Tips / First Aid
Fueling / Fuel Management
Float Plan / Weather & Sea Conditions
Insurance Considerations
Boating Check List
Safe Boating Classe
To request a Vessel Check, call: