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Admiralty Forum

What does the Coast Guard Check?

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/26/2010 : 12:49:16

Remind Me:

1. registration ( in boat and sticker on boat )
2. drivers license
3. Life Jackets ( one per person and one child size )
4. Flares ( open package, not expired )
5. Fire Extinguisher ( not empty nor expired )
6. Noise maker ( whistle, air horn )
7. Nav lights

Ray in Atlanta, Ga.
"Lee Key" '84 Catalina 25
Standard Rig / Fin Keel

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2010 : 13:38:01

The reqirement for a child sized PFD is new to me?

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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1225 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2010 : 14:23:47

How about the Game Warden, is the list the same?

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/26/2010 : 16:41:16

I have a Boarding Report in the boat--I'll get it when the rain stops.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 04:25:12

The Game Warden is a whole nother list. Usually about what not to have... Somewhat regional. Best if you know them by name.

My favorite joke when the coasties come... admire their boat. Then say "Hmmm.... havn't I seen that boat tied up at Joe's", the local restaurant, (or bar even).

Try to watch the faces of the Capt'n ( high command ) verses the kids working on the boat to see if you think they have taken the boat awol for some breakfast sometime.

Next time the coasties drive by ( or scan you with the binnocks ) they remember you, so otherwise try to make a good impression...

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 04:33:07

<< The requirement for a child sized PFD is new to me? >>

Not a requirement, it was just a suggestion.. and not a bad one.

They have suggestions...

Sorry about listing it as though it was required.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 04:46:05

Thank You Dave.. it is always fun to hear what's up with the CG. I don't get boarded any more as I'm on a heavily populated inland lake and the officials are usually working pretty hard.
It is a whole nother level of danger for me sailing on a speedboat lake..

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 04:59:02

Kids PFD is only applicable if you get pulled over with a kid onboard...

What they check is essentially everything on the USCG Auxilliary vessel safety inspection - link below (free - no penalty if you don't pass)

http://forms.cgaux.org/archive/a7012.pdf

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 05:40:14

Sweet.. thanks pipple ... I'll print this out and review the boat. Nice way to get up to standards.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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4479 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 05:58:23

Good to hear, I try hard to be in compliance and if anything over prepared. I had the boat inspected by the USCG Auxilary last year, and the only recommendatio the inspector had was for us to take the boating safety course. It's not required for folks our age in WA state, and I don't think the grandfather clause will catch up with us for another decade, but still a good idea.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 07:23:50

Here's a link that has more info. The "why people fail the inspection" is always an interesting read...

http://www.safetyseal.net/

http://www.safetyseal.net/vsc_stats.asp

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Champipple
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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 08:21:44

"Boats with gasoline engines in closed compartments, built after 1 August 1980 must have a powered ventilation system. Those built prior to that date must have natural or powered ventilation.

Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1 August 1978 must meet requirements by displaying a "certificate of compliance." Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment."

This is from the vessel safety check. I took the online version and failed because my diesel engine compartment doesn't have a blower.

online check located here:

http://www.safetyseal.net/vve/

Diesel and Blower aren't usually used in the same sentence. Plus the first paragraph indicates gasoline. It doesn't take into account model year either but I'm putting in a blower anyway, so this point is mute. What concerns me is the second paragraph.

Where does one find, purchase, obtain, locate on the boat, locate elsewhere the "certificate of compliance" The only websearch results I find come from the USCGAUX Vessel safety check websites around the country. I am apt to have Dave Bristle whip something up in Microsoft Word and I'll tape it to the compartment door.

Edited by - on

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 08:51:44

That was cool. They only wanted me to add a distress flag. Really. that's pretty good, and a good idea. I need a distress flag.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2010 : 13:19:11

In terms of navigation lights...mine don't work - they did and now they don't...interior lights still work, as does the VHF...behind the switch panel is an unholy mess, it all needs to be re-done, the PO did a lot of 'work' himself, including splicing by twisting bare ends of #18 zip cord together and wrapping w/ electrical tape ...as I read the safety check, it seems I need operational nav lights and an anchor light...but what if I don't go out after sunset???

Edited by - jerlim on 04/27/2010 13:22:37

redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 04:21:15

<< but what if I don't go out after sunset??? >>

My understanding is you are OK for them to not work if you only go out with daylight. But hey.. you have such a support system to cheer you on to making the boat "ship shape" should you want to.

Anyhoo.. iffin you ever need suggestions all ya gotta do is ask..

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 06:02:51

If you have the lights, they will want them to work for the vessel safety check. It is my understanding that if the USCG stops you during the daytime you'd be okay.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 06:34:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 It is my understanding that if the USCG stops you during the daytime you'd be okay.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I wouldn't count on that from the USCG--you might be OK on your dink, but on a 25-footer, you're likely to get at least a warning. The rules say we've gotta have the specified lights. They are to be used in limited visibility (rain, fog, solar eclipse...) as well as twilight and darkness, and unforeseen circumstances could find you in any of those conditions--just as they might find you needing a life jacket.

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 07:05:26

That's a good point, they need to be ready for bad weather.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 08:14:57

Thanks for telling me what I sorta knew, but didn't want to face...seems I'm going to be spending some QT in the dumpster this season...

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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3467 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 08:45:14

Being in the home of Homeland Security with constant number of helicopters and patrol boats buzzing around, it is common to get stopped by the Coast Guard in my area even if in a sailboat. About 3 years ago, I was boarded and besides checking what others mentioned above, I recall them also asking me if I had a Head. Since I had a porta potti, they were not interested but believe if I had a permanent head with holding tank, they would have performed some type of inspection.

The guys that boarded were great. I had a good time talking with them and asked them how they liked their Honda Outboards. Then after they left, I was sailing for about 10 minutes...or rather sort of drifting at about 1 mph in pretty much calm wind conditions and the same Coast Guard patrol approached me from the stern. They hailed me asking if I had been boarded recently and thinking how could they not recall that it was just 10 minutes ago, I gave them sort of a strange look as I began to respond. But they then said they were only kidding, they thought they left their checklist looseleaf on my boat. They retrieved it and then said they were coming back to board me in another 10 minutes !! I told them they better hurry because I will be back inside my marina by then !! Great guys !!

Edited by - OLarryR on 04/28/2010 08:47:18

Champipple
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Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 08:53:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 as well as twilight and darkness, and unforeseen circumstances could find you in any of those conditions--<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Good point - forgot about the size issue - I was thinking of a friends smaller one design(that doesn't have electric) when I replied.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 10:21:33

How about a throwable floatation device, and a paddle, never know when you will be up the river. We have the GRDA here at grand lake, you think the coast guard is bad.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 10:41:31

Throwable flotation is covered under the PDF section. I know secondary propulsion is required on some vessels, a dinghy for instance, but sailboats with motors already have secondary propulsion. If the state requires it then I can gurantee the coasties have it on their checklist.

Still wondering about this certificate of compliance. I am not sure what is being certified and by whom.....

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/28/2010 : 13:14:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1 August 1978 must meet requirements by displaying a "certificate of compliance." Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment."
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Duane, I think that's one of them thar dangling modifiers or somesuch that my high school English teacher complained about all those years ago. I'd take this to read that if the boat was built after 1978 with said closed compartment that it would have the certificate. That makes it a manufacturer's issue and they would likely be the source of the certification. Since O'Day isn't building your boat anymore(or any others, are they?), I wonder who might be responsible for their records now. If a "closed compartment" is added after manufacture of the boat, I'm not sure this applies. I'm also not a lawyer or a Coastie on patrol.

Good to hear from you again. I was looking at an O'Day 322 for sale in my marina the other day. Tempting. But unemployment is the reality.

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Loonsong1
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 04:38:29

I printed off a bunch of USCG Vessel Safety Check forms and cut off the top of the form with the USCG Auxilary logo and in the box with the examiners signature I write "SELF INSPECTION" with a marker so as to avoid any confusion that I am trying to produce a false report. I do a self inspection of Serenity yearly, prior to launch day. I add notes to the form of the actual number of adult and child PFD's, types of VDS and their Expiration dates, and annotate NA on the items not required on my C250 right on the form and keep the inspection with my boat registration and other required paperwork. The Vessel Safety Check Form can be found at this link [http://cgaux.org/~forms/archive/a7012.pdf] It doesn't get me out of boardings and inspections but does show the officer who is doing the inspection that I am serious about complying with the laws and the safety of my vessel.

Edited by - Loonsong1 on 04/30/2010 04:40:26

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 06:53:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Loonsong1
 I printed off a bunch of USCG Vessel Safety Check forms and cut off the top of the form with the USCG Auxilary logo and in the box with the examiners signature I write "SELF INSPECTION"...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Excellent idea!

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