The mission of the Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety (RBS)
program is to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage and
environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through
preventive means, in order to maximize safe use and enjoyment of U.S. waterways
by the public. The Vessel Safety Check program fully supports this mission.
The VSC program helps to achieve voluntary compliance with
federal and state recreational boating safety laws, particularly regarding the
carriage of safety equipment. It also raises boaters’ awareness of safety issues
through one-on one contact by volunteer vessel examiners
A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat
(Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment
required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained
specialist and is a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will
also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will
make you a safer boater.
This is not boarding or a law enforcement issue. 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.
No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are
not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the
vessel has passed the examination.
An example of some of the items checked include:
The items checked by the examiner include:
Proper Display of State Registration Numbers
State Registration Information on the boat
Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets) on the boat
Visual Distress Signals (flares)
Ventilation of enclosed areas where the engine is located
Backfire Flame Control (if required)
Fire Extinguishers
Sound Producing Devices
Navigation Lights
Pollution or Trash Placards (if required)
Marine Sanitation Devices (if required)
Navigation Rules
Pollution or Trash Placards (if required)
Marine Sanitation Devices (if required)
Navigation Rules
Pollution or Trash Placards (if required)
Marine Sanitation Devices (if required)
Navigation Rules
Specific NYS requirements, including Anchor and sufficient Anchor Line.
Overall Vessel Condition Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets)
Registration and numbering
Navigation lights
Ventilation
Fire extinguishers
Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
Battery cover and connections
All of these items are currently required by
state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a
citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.
The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way
to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation
later.
