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<DIV>Here's my take: I view the VSC as an opportunity to discuss safety issues, boater education, and USPS in general. If I get hardnosed on non-safety issues, I'm going to develop a reputation at my marina and people are going to decline the VSC. Then what have I accomplished?</DIV>
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<DIV>So, while I don't cut any slack on lifejackets, fire extinguishers, visual distress signals, bilge blower, etc., on non-safety items my policy is to fully inform the boater that the number display is not quite correct, or that the 3" hailing port lettering is not quite big enough, etc., and that someone who has to power to issue a citation could interpret the requirement strictly. And that the decal isn't a "get out of jail free card."</DIV>
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<DIV>Frankly, I question the value of including some things in a vessel SAFETY check.</DIV>
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<DIV>Rick Marinelli, AP</DIV>
<DIV>Mid-Potomac Power Squadron</DIV>
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<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: julienp@comcast.net <BR><BR>> We have been involved in an ongoing debate regarding whether to pass or fail a <BR>> documented vessel that does not have the REQUIRED "No." in front of the number. <BR>> It is clearly not "up to snuff," but should we fail a vessel? It is not a safety <BR>> issue, obviously, and the Coast Guard and DNR have both acknowledged that they <BR>> will not fine a boater without the abbreviation in front of the number. <BR>> <BR>> What would be an acceptable presentation? A permanent marker overlaid with <BR>> epoxy? Painted on letters? Would you advocate that they have a new wooden plaque <BR>> made and then attached before you would issue them a decal? <BR>> <BR>> I really could use some guidance here. <BR>> <BR>> Thank you, <BR>> Julien <BR>> <BR>> Lt. Julien P. Hofbe
rg, JN, VE, VSE Chairman <BR>> Rockville Sail and Power Squadron <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> -- <BR>> Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain . . . <BR>> _______________________________________________ <BR>> ve-l mailing list <BR>> ve-l@usps.org <BR>> http://www.usps.org/mailman/listinfo/ve-l </BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>