Vessel Safety Check Program

Check-off list

Display of Numbers. Forward half of boat, three-inch block letters, contrasting color. Example: ME 1234 AB

Registration and Documentation. Must be current and on board.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD). Coast Guard approved, good and serviceable condition, suitable size for wearer. Boats 16 ft and longer must have a Type I, II, or III wearable PFD for each person on board (minimum two). Must also have one Type IV throwable on board. A Type V (hybrid) may be counted against the requirement, but must be worn at time of safety check. Boats under 16 ft in length have basically the same requirements, except the Type IV throwable is not mandatory.

Visual Distress Signals. Required on recreational boats on coastal waters, Great Lakes, or the high seas. For boats on inland waters, the Coast Guard Auxiliary requires some means of making a suitable day and night visual distress signal. Equipment could include strobe light, flashlight, signal mirror, red or orange flags.

Fire Extinguishers. Approved by Coast Guard. Requirement varies by size of boat. Less than 26 ft., one B-1 extinguisher. 26 ft to 40 ft., two B-1 or one B-2 extinguisher. (If the boat has an approved fixed system, only one B-1 is required.) Must be in good and serviceable condition. Pressure gauge (if installed) must be in green area.

Ventilation. Not required on boats of open construction or diesel-powered boats. Open construction means NO enclosed spaces where fumes can accumulate. Power ventilation must be operational on boats with enclosed engine compartments.

Backfire Flame Control. Inboard mounted engines must be equipped with an approved Backfire Flame Arrester.

Sound Producing Devices. Required. This can be whistle, horn, etc. Must be capable of 4-sec. blast audible for 1/2 mile.

Navigation Lights. Boats over 16 ft in length must have operable navigation lights and all-around anchor light. All lights must be properly installed, operating correctly and not obscured.

Pollution Placard. Required on boats over 26 ft.

MARPOL Trash Placard. Required on boats over 26 ft.

Navigation Rules. A copy of the rules is required on vessels over 12 meters (39.4 ft)

State and/or Local Requirements. Click here for information.

Overall Vessel Condition. Deck free of hazards, clean bilge, safe electrical system (covered battery terminals), fuel system (safe, no leaks, good condition), safe galley and heating systerm, if equipped.

Not required by VSC, but encouraged:

Marine VHF radio

Dewatering device & backup

Mounting for fire extinguisher

Anchor and anchor line for area of operation

First Aid and Person-in-water (PIW) kits

Inland visual distress signals

Capacity and Certificate of Compliance plates

Educational discussion items that may be covered during VSC

Accident reporting/Owner responsibility

Nautical charts and navigation aids

Survival tips and first aid

Fueling and fuel management

Float plan and weather conditions

Insurance considerations

Boating check list

Safe boating classes