USPS Vessel Safety Check Program Policies & Procedures



                                        UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS®

                                           VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PROGRAM

                                                       revised 18 May, 2008



I   AUTHORITY AND MISSION

    Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Power Squadrons and the U.S. Coast 
    Guard Auxiliary dated 29 January 2000, the U.S. Power Squadrons became partners with the 
    USCGAux. in a national program to provide safety checks to recreational boaters.  The VSC Program 
    replaces the Courtesy Marine Examination Program, and is designed to assist boaters in 
    complying with federal and state recreational boating laws and regulations.  The VSC Program 
    will help minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage and environmental impact 
    associated with the use of recreational boats in order to maximize the safe use and enjoyment 
    of United States waterways by the public.

II  ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

    A.  National VSC Committee.  The USPS Vessel Safety Check Program is led by the National VSC 
         Committee, which is composed of a Chairperson, Assistant Chairpersons, Regional Chairpersons, 
         and a number of other members appointed by the Committee.

Regions represented are:

Western - Districts 13, 16, 25, 28, 32

Central - Districts 15, 21, 24, 30, 31

Great Lakes - Districts 9, 10, 20, 29

                  Gulf and Keys - Districts 8, 22
	   Northern New England - Districts 12, 18, 19

	   Southern New England - Districts  1, 2, 14,
	   New York-New Jersey - Districts 3, 4, 6
	   Mid-Atlantic - Districts 17, 23, 26, 27
	   Chesapeake-Erie - Districts 5, 7, 11
	   Puerto Rico & US Virgin Island - District 33

    B.  National Committee Members.  Responsibilities are:

         1.  Establish policies and procedures for the administration of the USPS Vessel Safety Check 
              Program.
         2.  Attend at least two of: the annual meeting or the two Governing Board meetings.
         3.  Maintain communications with the National Chairperson, other National Committee members, 
              and District Chairpersons, as needed. 
         4.  Assist District Chairpersons in preparing and presenting seminars at District conferences.
         5.  Suggest topics for Ensign articles and assist in the writing.  
         6.  Turn over any and all records, reports, communications and files to his/her successor.

    C.  District Chairpersons.  Responsibilities are:

         1.  Coordinate and promote the Vessel Safety Check Program within the District.  
         2.  Serve as liaison between the National Committee member for the Region (Regional Chairperson) 
              and Squadron Chairpersons. 
         3.  Promote partnership with the USCG Auxiliary in the VSC Program and serve as liaison with 
              the Auxiliary District Staff Officer for Vessel Examiners in the USPS District.
         4.  Organize and promote VSC Program seminars at District conferences.
         5.  Maintain an adequate supply of Decals, Form 7012s, and other VSC-related materials, and 
              distribute them to Squadron Chairpersons.
         6.  Establish District procedures for reporting of VE certifications and re-certifications, and VE 
              submission of completed Form 7012s.
         7.  Promptly forward Form 7012s to National Headquarters.
         8.  Prepare articles for the District newsletter and assist Squadron Chairpersons in writing articles
              for Squadron newsletters.
         9.  Use the National VSC website, other websites, and e-mail to enhance communications among 
              Squadrons, Districts and the National Committee.
       10.  Communicate any areas of concern to the National Committee representative assigned to the 
              District.
       11.  Promote and coordinate District participation in USPS National VSC Program contests.  
              Establish and administer a District awards program to recognize outstanding VEs, Squadrons, 
              and program promotion activities.
       12.  Turn over all records, reports, communications and files to his/her successor.

    D.  Squadron Chairpersons.  Responsibilities are:

         1.  Organize and promote Vessel Safety Check Program activities within the Squadron.
         2.  Promote partnership with local USCG Auxiliary Flotillas.
         3.  Conduct Vessel Examiner training and administer certification examinations. 
         4.  Notify National Headquarters using the, VSC-2 form, of all certifications and 
              re-certifications of Squadron VEs. 
         5.  Distribute adequate supplies of decals, forms and promotional material to Squadron VEs.  
              Obtain additional supplies from the District Chairperson.
         6.  Collect and review Form 7012s, and conduct additional training of VEs when needed.
         7.  Promptly submit the data from the 7012s via the online data submittal form to National 
              Headquarters on a weekly basis if possible (but at least monthly).

         8.  Retain completed 7012 forms for at least one year after the year the VSCs were conducted.
         9.  Establish and administer a Squadron awards program to recognize outstanding VEs.
        10. Turn over all records, reports, communications and files to his/her successor. 

    E.  Vessel Examiners.  Any USPS member who is at least 18 years old may become a VE 
         by attending a training session, passing a proctored open-book test, and performing five VSCs 
         under the supervision of a certified Vessel Examiner (either USPS or USCGA).  The 
         open-book test may also be taken online at http://safetyseal.net/usps-ve-test.htm.  A VE will 
         retain certification by performing five VSCs per year.  Additional information on VE certification and 
         other responsibilities is in the Vessel Safety Check Manual.   Other responsibilities are:

         1.  Use the Form 7012.  Promptly forward a copy of completed Form 7012s to the Squadron Chair.
         2.  Report any problems with VSC program procedures or operations to the Squadron Chair.

   F. Certification Process.

Online Exam - When the prospective VE passes the online exam they receive an email confirming they passed. He/she provides a copy of the confirming email to the VSC Chair. Paper Exam - The exam monitor provides a document certifying that the prospective VE has passed the exam. He/she provides a copy of the confirming document to the VSC Chair.

Then, when they complete their five mentored VSCs (the mentor is responsible for reporting these completions to the Chair) the VSC Chair submits the VSC-2 Certified Vessel Examiners Form to headquarters via email, fax or mail. Headquarters will then add them to the database of certified VEs.

Note: USPS members who are currently certified Vessel Examiners in the United State Coast Guard Auxiliary are cross qualified for USPS and all that need be done is to send in the VSC-2 Certified Vessel Examiners Form to headquarters to add them to the database so they will be recognized by all the systems.

 G. Uniforms.

Red "USPS uniform polo shirt" with the words "Vessel Examiner" and the USPS logo on it,

tan or khaki colored pants (long or short), boat shoes and VSC cap.

III  SUPPLIES

    A.  The USPS VSC Manual is both a training guide and operational reference source.  It is available in 
         hard copy from National Headquarters and is also on the CD provided to Squadron and District 
         Chairpersons.  The Manual may also be downloaded from this website.         

    B.  Vessel Examiner Exams.  For VE candidates who do not take the exam online, Squadron and 
         District Chairpersons should download and print out the exams and answer keys supplied to them 
         on the program materials CD.  National Headquarters will provide these materials in hard copy 
         only to Chairpersons who do not have computers.    

    C.  Forms and Decals.   VSC decals are issued by National Headquarters.  As early as 
         practical at the beginning of each calendar year, decals will be sent to District and 
         Squadron Chairpersons in amounts based on the number of VSCs conducted by USPS VEs in 
         the District or Squadron during the previous calendar year.  

         1. Decals are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and may be limited in number.

            Distribution will be to:

Squadron VSC Chair, based on prior year decals issued to boaters

```
District VSC Chair - backup supply
```

     After these initial shipments, additional decals may be ordered only by District Chair with National

     Chair approval.  Supplies of decals may be transferred between VEs, Squadrons, and Districts, as

     needed.

          2. Forms - the ANSC 7012 forms are available and may be ordered  from headquarters for

	only the cost of shipping. They are also available for download and local printing.

    D.  Shirts, hats, patches, etc. may be ordered by VEs, Squadrons, or Districts.  

    E.  VSC Order form (available on the web site) should be used by VSC Chairs to order supplies. 

IV  Awards and Merit Marks.

    A. National annual awards:

Individual

Century Pin Awarded to any VE who does 100 VSCs in the calendar year

Millennium Pin awarded to any VE who does a cumulative number of 1000 VSCs

Squadron Annual Honor Roll

Squadrons who have 10% of their active members (End of march of year) as VEs

AND

Perform a number VSCs at least equal to the number of active members at year end.

District Annual Honor Roll

Districts who have 10% of their active members as VEs

AND

Perform a number VSCs at least equal to the number of active members (End of march of year).

    B. Each District and Squadron may establish awards to recognize outstanding VEs, Squadrons, and 
         program promotion activities.

    C.  Merit Marks -

VEs may be recommended by their Squadron Commanders for merit marks based on either:

        1.  Completing VE training, passing the exam, and performing five VSCs under supervision, or
        2.  If already certified as a VE, by performing ten VSCs that are reported to USPS in the 
             calendar year. 

V   INFORMATION SOURCES

    All USPS members who are involved in the VSC Program are encouraged to use the VSC Committee's 
    website as a source of program data, and policy and procedure updates and announcements.  The 
    main page is at www.usps.org/national/vsc/ 

VI  LIABILITY

    The VSC Program is a USPS activity with a minimum risk of lawsuits based on negligent performance 
    of VSCs.  USPS has adequate liability insurance to protect USPS, its Districts, Squadrons, and 
    members from potential litigation related to the VSC Program.  Our insurance carrier will provide 
    both a defense and indemnity to the extent of policy limits.  Thus, a fear of potential litigation 
    should not deter members from participating in the VSC Program.  Contact: National Law Officer, 
    National Treasurer.