What is a Vessel Safety Check?
The Vessel Safety Check is a FREE bow-to-stern inspection of your boat by a qualified member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or United States Power Squadrons®. It’s your best way to learn about potential problems that might put you in violation of state or federal laws, or — worse — create danger for you or your passengers on the water.

Things can go wrong on the water, with dangerous — even fatal — results. That’s why the U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you get a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) every year.

Your Only Risk is Not Having One
Vessel Examiners issue no citations. There are no penalties for not successfully completing a Vessel Safety Check.
Vessel Examiners provide you with a copy of the vessel safety check form, allowing you to make the recommended safety improvements at your own discretion.

And while the VSC decal won’t necessarily preclude boardings by law enforcement authorities, it can give you confidence that such encounters are as positive as possible.

Need another reason? A large number of major insurance providers offer discounts for boats that successfully pass a Vessel Safety Check!

How It Works
A Vessel Examiner will meet you at your boat at a prearranged time or during a VSC event at a marina, boat ramp, etc. The Examiner will check the presence and condition of approximately fifteen items required by state and federal regulations. Additionally, they will discuss items that are recommended but not required... and answer your questions on boating safety.

A typical Vessel Safety Check takes approximately twenty minutes. At the conclusion of the check, you’ll receive a copy of the Vessel Safety Check form and — if your vessel successfully meets all the requirements — a VSC decal will be presented on the spot.

Safety Check Items

1. NUMBERING: The boats registration number must be permanently affixed to the forward half of the boat, be of plain block letters at least 3 inches high and of a contrasting color so as to be visible from at least 100 feet. A space or dash must separate letters from numbers and the state validation sticker must be placed according to state law. For example in Nebraska 

   

2. Registration: Registration papers must be on board the vessel when afloat.
3. Personal Floatation Devices: One Coast Guard approved, wearable flotation device (life jacket) of appropriate size and in good repair must be carried on board for each person on board. Boats over sixteen feet must also carry one Type IV (throwable) PFD for use in an emergency.
4. Visual Distress Signals: Pleasure boats operated on the Great Lakes or U.S. coastal waters must carry Coast Guard approved visual distress signals for day and night use. These signals may be flags, electric lights, pyrotechnic devices or a combination thereof. If pyrotechnic devices are chosen, there must be a minimum of three current (within 42 months of manufacture) devices aboard. Pleasure boats operated solely on inland waters must carry visual distress signals as dictated by state law.
5. Fire Extinguishers: All power boats with closed compartments where explosive fumes could accumulate must carry Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers aboard of a size and number determined by boat size.

   Boat Length	Without Fixed System	With Fixed System
   Under 26’	One B-1	One B-1
   26’ to less than 40’	Two B-1 or one B-2	One B-1
   40’ to 65’	Three B-1 or one B-1 & one B-2	One B-2

    

    

    

    

    

6. Ventilation: Gasoline powered boats built after 1 August 1980 must have a powered ventilation system to rid the bilges of explosive gasoline vapor. Boats built before that date must be ventilated but may be passive or powered. Boats built after August 1978 with enclosed fuel tanks must meet fuel compartment ventilation requirements and display a "certificate of compliance".
7. Backfire Flame Arrestor: All inboard and inboard/outboard gasoline powered boats must have a Coast Guard or SAE approved backfire control device properly affixed.
8. Sound Producing Device: All boats (PWCs included) must carry a sound-producing device capable of producing a four second blast, audible for at least ½ mile. Boats over 39.4 feet in length must also carry a bell.
9. Navigation Lights: All boats operated between the hours of sunset and sunrise and all boats over 16 feet in length must have operable red and green "running lights" visible according to the navigation rules in addition to a white light visible for 360 degrees. The boat must also be capable of showing, independently, a 360-degree white anchor light.
10. Pollution Placard: Boats over 26 feet in length, powered by machinery, must display an "oily waste" spill or disposal placard according to law.
11. Marpol Placard: Boats over 26 feet in length must display a placard regarding prohibition of overboard disposal of pollutants.
12. Marine Sanitation Devices: Any toilet installed in a boat must be Coast Guard approved and if the boat is operated in "no discharge" waters, any overboard discharge must be capable of being sealed.
13. Navigation rules: Boats over 39.4 feet in length must carry on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.
14. State and Local Requirements: The boat must comply with all state and local as well as federal requirements before the safety check decal may be awarded.
15. Overall Vessel Condition: The boat must be in good overall condition. Items checked include but are not limited to: the deck free of hazards; a clean bilge; safe electrical system protected by fuses or manually reset table circuit breakers, batteries secured and terminals covered; fuel tanks secured, vented and free of corrosion; heating system and galley fuel tanks properly secured; galley stoves not located near flammables.