Click on I WANT A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK for the inspector closest to You.
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.
Registration/Documentation
Personal Floatation Devices
Visual Distress Signals
Fire Extinguishers
Ventilation
Back Flame Control
Navigation Lights
State & Local Requirements
Overall Vessel Condition
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
Float Plan
Weather & Sea Conditions
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.
The United States Power Squadrons® and
the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
"Partners in Boating Safety"
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Virginia Beach Power Squadron will be performing Free Vessel Safety Checks:
19 and 20 May 2007 at Marinas throughout the Tidewater area in celebration of National Safe Boating Week.
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 Norfolk or Virginia Beach?? Some of our inspectors will even come to your home to perform Vessel Inspections. Give us a call.
Fred W. Pflum........481-0211 or
Pete Schreiber.......363-0722, 477-0695
or E-mail: pete-at-the-beach@cox.net
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Members of the VBSPS may call any vessel examiner listed in the Squadron Handbook for a free vessel safety check.