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What does the Coast Guard Check?

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redeye
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Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 11:14:11

Errrrrr.... Errata.

I printed out the VSC, labeled it Self-Inspection, got copies in a waterproof folder. Good grief charlie brown. What a list. 18 line items under requirements and 18 under recommendations. OK make these protocol and we can move on to funner things.. Aye aye captn ...

OK I'm reviewing and I have Questions?

2. registration/documentation - is that just a copy of the registration?

4. VDS Visual Distress Signals. They want flares and a flag?

Ok I've just discovered the "discussion" documentation for the VSC.. Happy reading...

http://www.safetyseal.net/manuals/Vessel_Safety_Check_Manual_Errata.pdf

I think I could use everyone's help to define: "As Applies"

Edited by - on

redeye
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Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 11:22:27

Sorry.. this document list above is a "corrections discussion" to the VSC (Vessel Safety Check )

I'm still looking for the manual or the Federal Requirements Pamphlet.

Edited by - on

redeye
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Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 11:37:50

http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/16000-16999/CIM_16796_8.pdf

OK Now happy reading.....

the Operational Safety Check manual

Edited by - on

Champipple
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Response Posted - 04/30/2010 : 11:37:56

I use the form as well. It helps remind me to double check things like expiration dates, compressed air in the horn, location of items that might have been moved from prior year etc.

You probably don't have to go through the added effort of cutting off the top of the forms. The Sticker is what matters. The USCGAUX encourages the self inspection so that they don't have to make multiple trips to your boat to retest you and point you to that form online if you call to make an appointment. The real USCG (the one's with the mounted .50's fore and aft) are going to check whatever they want if they board you regardless of your sticker.

Edited by - Champipple on 04/30/2010 11:42:16

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 05/01/2010 : 21:03:32

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Champipple
 ...The real USCG (the one's with the mounted .50's fore and aft) are going to check whatever they want if they board you regardless of your sticker.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yup--they did it on my launch day this year and last! When you live by the USCG Academy and nobody else is on the water yet, you need to be ship-shape!

Edited by - on

jerlim
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Response Posted - 05/03/2010 : 12:06:12

Just asking...were you able to print the checklist, and not get the SAMPLE graphic???

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redeye
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Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 04:47:46

Yep. I got a PDF I could print. I also found using the checklist that the Fire Ext. was out and so now I've got a new one mounted.

Thanks for the help everybody.

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Champipple
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Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 05:02:47

Jerry

This link doesn't have 'sample' - at least on my pc

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

By the Way, good thread

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redeye
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Response Posted - 05/04/2010 : 08:39:09

I really like the printout. I seem to always get to the boat and finish one thing and think, "Hey Great, I got that done" and then forget about some other detail. ("Why is the Rum always missing?") I was shocked when I realized I didn't have a set of bung plugs onboard after 5 years. When you need them, you need them bad.

OK back to getting the visual distress flag onboard.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/15/2010 : 18:43:07

I have a question about the ventilation on my '89. The fuel tank resides in a seperate compartment but otherwise has no venitlation openings that I can see. How does that meet the CG requirements.

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 05/25/2010 : 10:29:09

I helped out last weekend with a Vessel Safety Check with the Milford Power Squadron team at one of the local marinas. We had 2 inspectors with 12 boaters in a marina with 100 boats who requested inspections.

It was a huge eye opener to me....

Not only do you need to have a raft of safety gear, first aid gear, placards and documentation on board, but for different types (power and sail), inboard vs outboard, less than 25 feet and greater than 26 feet there are differences in required numbers and types of visual distress gear, fire extinguishers, bow and mast lights for sail, and the list goes on.

It is only through the experience of the VSC Examiners and a handful of curmudgeons (both from the USCG aux and US Power Squadron) can anybody really make heads or tails of exactly what they need to avoid a ticket.

I would not say that enforcement is 'discretionary' by the police, lake patrols or the main USCG, however the lists of required equipment, lights and documentation are not easy for the laiety to navigate.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
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Response Posted - 05/26/2010 : 09:29:55

Gary,

There should be no concern regarding the cockpit compartment for the portable gas container. Th eonly concern would be if the compartment vented to the inside of theboat and you had an inboard motor whereby there could then be a safety/fire concern. However, the CG will inspect to see if you have a fully charged fire extinguisher onboard.

I have been inspected by both the Auxiliary CG as part of a volunteering for the inspection and one time also being boarded by the CG. In both cases, once they saw I had an outboard, they never inspected for the portable fuel tank.
Larry

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/26/2010 : 21:42:35

Thanks Larry! A few days after I posted my question above I had a VSC done and passed with flying colors. I asked the same question of the VE and he said the same thing as you. As long as it's totally isolated from the cabin and any ignition source it's fine.

I also asked him if the plastic gas containers you buy at Lowes or HD are legal to carry on the boat since they don't have a CG Approval number on them. He checked with his VSC leader and they are OK to use on-board. I'm still not sure I trust the answer though.

Edited by - GaryB on 06/02/2010 18:30:22

OLarryR
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Response Posted - 05/29/2010 : 05:25:38

I am not positive which portable fuel tanks you are talking about from Lowes. I guess you are talking about the ones with a spout like what you have in your garage for your lawnmower ? In any case, if it's a container that makes you have to pour gas into your official outboard gas tank, my marina does not allow pouring from one tank to another unless you do it some place away from the marina or on the gas dock. This is for safety reasons - I guess in case static electricity, etc sets off the gas when pouring. Other than that scenario, not sure but would think a gas container should have some type of code approvals on it even if a CG approval is not becessary.

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GaryB
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Response Posted - 05/29/2010 : 13:25:12

Yes, a plastic gas container like you use for the lawnmower.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?displayName=GasCan&itemId=1533-10&navValue=101533&parentId=6-10&productId=692004&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=692004_0_0_&filterByKeyWord=GasCan&categoryNValue=100006&store=1495&skuDisplayName=5gal.15x83/4x15in.self-ventinggascan&categoryDisplayName=Tools&_requestid=1174473

I only carry it for emergency use and have never had to use it, yet. If I had to transfer fuel I would use a siphon hose rather than try to pour it using the spout.

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Siphon-supersiphonhose-Hose/dp/B000ZOT39A

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 05/29/2010 : 15:29:22

totally agree on the siphon concept! We didn't use one on our trip to Bimini which required a couple of refuels during the 13hr trip in very rough seas.
Now we have a harbor freight siphon and never spill a drop!

Paul

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Champipple
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Response Posted - 06/02/2010 : 10:21:40

One of the vessel safety check items is to conform to state laws...For those in Ohio I found this while doing research.

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/watercraft/equipment/tabid/2727/Default.aspx

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John Russell
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Response Posted - 06/02/2010 : 11:01:52

I was reading page 2 of the check list and came across this:
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> 4. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS: Recreational boats 16 feet and over
used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes are required to carry a minimum of either
1) three day and three night pyrotechnic devices...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Aren't day flares and night flares the same?<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> 2) one day non-pyrotechnic device (flag) and one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light) or 3) a combination of
1) and 2). Recreational boats less than 16 feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual distress signals
when operating from sunset to sunrise.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I don't have "one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto SOS light)"

I don't have one of those. In fact, I've never heard of one before.

Edited by - John Russell on 06/02/2010 11:04:46

GaryB
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Response Posted - 06/02/2010 : 18:43:09

I have one of these attached to my auto-inflate PFD.

http://www.waterways.tv/products/proddetail.cfm?prodID=4127&catID=175&subcatID=913&sscatID=na&mfrID=na

and one of these in the cockpit

http://www.waterways.tv/products/proddetail.cfm?prodID=4100&catID=175&subcatID=913&sscatID=na&mfrID=na

Edited by - on

redeye
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Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 06:26:54

See That ... "They" sneak something new in every year. I've been keeping the "Big Expensive" life vest in the dumpster with the Non-Pyro light clipped on it ( a sprobe ) but I think the stobe died.

Got my distress Flag, Now it is time for a Strobe.

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DaveR
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Response Posted - 06/04/2010 : 11:57:44

I think the flags might attract help quicker than the strobe!

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aeckhart
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Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 08:31:37

John, a flashlight is a non-pyrotechnic device.

I don't have my copy of the regs but, regarding flotation devices, which the Coast Guard is now calling "life jacket" in their new pubs. There isn't a requirement for a specific number of jackets on board. There must be one approved, readily accessable jacket for each individual on the boat. I usually carry three adult and 1 child jacket. I don't anticipate sailing with more than that and generally am by myself anyway. I believe children under 12?, 16? must be wearing a life jacket when on board.

Edited by - aeckhart on 06/08/2010 08:35:50

John Russell
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Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 09:33:58

Right, Al, it's the "auto SOS" part that has me wondering. I'm sure I can signal SOS with my 1,000,000 candlepower light but, there's nothing automatic about it.

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 10:14:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 I believe children under 12?, 16? must be wearing a life jacket when on board.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I believe every state now has a law concerning the ages below which children must wear life jackets. In CT, it's 12 and under if the boat is under way unless the child is in an enclosed cabin. The USCG requires that for each person aboard, there must be a life jacket of the appropriate size according to USCG approval. If there is not the correct size for each child, you'll be in violation, no matter how many jackets you have.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/08/2010 10:28:01

Champipple
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Response Posted - 06/08/2010 : 10:23:45

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by aeckhart
 I believe children under 12?, 16? must be wearing a life jacket when on board.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I believe every state now has a law concerning the ages below which children must wear life jackets. In CT, it's under 12 if the boat is under way unless the child is in an enclosed cabin. The USCG requires that for each person aboard, there must be a life jacket of the appropriate size according to USCG approval. If there is not the correct size for each child, you'll be in violation, no matter how many jackets you have.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

In Ohio - If the vessel is under 18 feet, any kid under ten must have the life jacket on.

If the kid is 10 and up or the vessel is 18 and up then they just need to have the proper size jacket on board.

Should also note that auto-inflatibles only count as a life jacket if you are wearing them

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