A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is an Auxiliary cornerstone activity (another is Public Education) to promote safe boating. These examinations are FREE and take 10-15 minutes to complete. They can be conducted with your vessel (boat, paddle craft, or PWC) in, or out, of the water. For more information, please contact our Flotilla Staff Officer, Vessel Examination (FSO-VE):

Dan McAuliffe, FSO-VE

[email protected]

« IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE »

November 2, 2017 Kidde Recall: Plastic Handle and Push-Button Fire Extinguishers. As of 2020, this recall is still active and replacements are FREE, but you to have to act. Go here to learn more (you will leave this site).

A VSC is a courtesy examination of your vessel to verify the presence and condition of safety equipment required by federal, state, and local regulations. Your Vessel Examiner (VE) is a trained specialist and is a member of the US Power Squadron or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. He or she will also make recommendations for optional equipment and discuss safety issues that will make you a safer vessel operator.

This is NOT an offical boarding or law enforcement activity - no citations are issued from your examination. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you can follow its suggestions. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from a law enforcement boarding, but you can be better prepared to make this a positive encounter. Those vessels that do not pass can correct the issues for a follow-up VE visit.

You can also conduct a "Virtual Safety Check" with its checklist to perform a self-inspection of your vessel. You still need to contact a qualified Vessel Examiner to perform a VSC and obtain a decal. Note that the checklist only covers the minimum federal safety requirements of state-registered vessels and not Documented vessels or kayaks and paddle boats.

For more information about VSCs, please visit the national "Safety Seal" VSC web site. This site has a search feature that allows you to find (by zip code) and contact a Vessel Examiner in your area.

Members of Flotilla 10-1 are available to conduct a VSC. Your vessel can be on a trailer or in the water. We frequently perform VSC's at area launch ramps during late spring and summer weekends. Please look for us! We are occassionally stationed at Lake Quinsigamond, Corazzini Ramp, Shrewsbury, MA.

This page was last modified on Sunday, 26-Jan-2020 16:24:06 EST.