U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 41

Flotilla 41 Meetings start at 1900 4th Wed. of each month Port Ludlow Fire Station Oak Bay Road

Vessel Safety Checks - “Boat Smart from the Start”

Boat owners are encouraged to request a free Vessel Safety Check. This purely voluntary action ensures that a thorough check is made of all safety-related equipment.

Boats that pass the examination are awarded a sticker for the current calendar year.

Boats that do not pass are not reported to any authority; the owner is simply advised of the deficiencies and is encouraged to resubmit the boat for another check when those deficiencies have been corrected.

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 behaviors 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 vessel examiners.

What is a Vessel Safety Check?

A Vessel Safety Check 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:

May I ask questions?

Of course. During the Vessel Safety Check, if the boater wishes, 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 educational topics are:

What are the benefits?

The benefits of a Vessel Safety Check are that it can identify SAFETY and money saving opportunities:

• By preventing citations by meeting federal and state and local 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.

How do I schedule a Vessel Safety Check?

Contact the Safety Officer, FSO-VE Dick Moore, to schedule.