Vessel Safety Check (Vsc) - Us Coast Guard (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

Back of ANSC7012 (4/08)

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 8. SOUND PRODUCING DEVICES:

Brief Explanation of VSC Required Items:

To comply with Navi-

gation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 1. NUMBERING:

producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast au-

The boat’s registration number must be per-

dible for ½ mile. Boats larger than 39.4 ft. are also required to have a bell

manently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat characters

(see Navigation Rules.)

must be plain, vertical, block style, not less than three (3) inches high, and in

a color oontrasting with the background. A space or hyphen must separate

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 9. NAVIGATION LIGHTS:

All boats must be able to dis-

the letters from the numbers. Place State validation sticker according to State

play navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of re-

policy. (e.g. FL 1234 AB or FL-4234-AB)

duced visibility. Boats 16 feet or more in length must have properly in-

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 2. REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION:

Registration

stalled, working navigation lights and an all- around anchor light capable of

being lit independently from the red/green/white “running” lights.

or Documentation papers must be on board and available. Documentation

numbers must be permanently marked on a visible part of the interior struc-

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 10. POLLUTION PLACARD:

Boats 26 feet and over with a

ture. The documented boat’s name and hailing Port must be displayed on the

machinery compartment must display an oily waste “pollution” placard.

exterior hull in letters not less than 4 inches in height.

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 11. MARPOL TRASH PLACARD:

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 3. PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFDs):

Boats 26 feet and over

Ac-

in length, operating in U.S. navigable waters, must display a “MARPOL”

ceptable PFDs (also known as Life Jackets) must be U.S. Coast Guard ap-

trash placard. Oceangoing boats 40 feet and over must also have a written

proved and in good, serviceable condition. A wearable PFD of suitable size

trash disposal plan available onboard.

is required for the each person on the boat. Children must have properly

fitted PFDs designed for children. Wearable PFDs shall be “readily acces-

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 12. MARINE SANITATION DEVICE:

Any installed toilet

sible.” Boats 16 Feet or longer, must also have one Type IV (throwable)

must be a Coast Guard approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must

device, which shall be “immediately available.” PFDs shall NOT be stored

be capable of being sealed.

in unopened plastic packaging. For Personal Watercraft riders, the PFD must

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 13. NAVIGATION RULES:

be worn. An impact rating is recommended, but not required.

Boats 39.4 feet and over must have

on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 4. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS:

Recreational boats 16

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 14. STATE AND LOCAL REQUIREMENTS:

feet and over used on coast waters or the Great Lakes are required to carry a

These re-

minimum of either 1) three day and three night pyrotechnic devices, 2) one

quirements must be met before the “Vessel Safety Check” decal can be

day non-pyrotechnic device (flag) and one night non-pyrotechnic device (auto

awarded. A boat must meet the requirements of the state in which it is being

SOS light) or 3) a combination of 1) and 2). Recreational boats less than 16

examined.

feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual dis-

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 15. OVERALL BOAT CONDITION:

As it applies to this

tress signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.

Vessel. Including, but not limited to:

It is recommended, but not required, that boats operating on inland waters

should have some means of making a suitable day and night distress signal.

Deck free of hazards and clean bilge -

The boat must be

The number and type of signals is best judged by considering conditions

free from fire hazards, in good overall condition, with bilges reasonably clean

under which the boat will be operating.

and visible hull structure generally sound. The use of automobile parts on

boat engines is not acceptable. The engine horsepower must not exceed that

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 5. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

Fire extinguishers are required

shown on the capacity plate.

if one of the following conditions exists: 1) Inboard engine(s); 2) Double

bottom hulls not completely sealed or not completely filled with flotation

Electrical and Fuel Systems:

The electrical system must be

materials 3) Closed living space 4) Closed stowage compartments that con-

protected by fuses or manual reset circuit breakers. Switches and fuse panels

tain flammable materials or 5) Permanently installed fuel tanks. Recreational

must be protected from rain or water spray. Wiring must be in good condi-

boats less than 26 feet, and propelled by outboard motors are NOT required

tion, properly installed and with no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation.

to have fire extinguishers unless one or more of the conditions (2-5) listed

Batteries must be secured and terminals covered to prevent accidental arc-

above applies. NOTE: Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and

ing.. If installed, self-circling or kill switch mechanism must be in proper

verified as serviceable.

working order. All PWCs require an operating self circling or kill switch

mechanism.

Minimum number of extinguishers required

Fuel Systems - Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity or less)

must be constructed of non-breakable material and free of corrosion and leaks.

Boat

No Fixed

With Fixed

Length

System

All vents must be capable of being closed. The tank must be secured and

have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap. Each permanent fuel tank must be prop-

Less than 26'

one B-1

erly ventilated.

26' to less than 40' two B-1 or one B-2

one B-1

40' to 65'

three B-1 or

two B-1 or

Galley and Heating Systems -

System and fuel tanks must

one B-1 & one B-2

one B-2

be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby.

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 6. VENTILATION:

Boats with gasoline engines in closed com-

I - VIII. RECOMMENDED AND DISCUSSION ITEMS:

partments, built after 1 August 1980 must have a powered ventilation sys-

(Not required for the award of the “Vessel Safety Check” decal). For the

tem. Those built prior to that date must have natural or powered ventilation.

very best boaters, we recommend these additional items. Meeting these re-

Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1 August 1978 must

quirements reflects your concern for Boating Safety.

meet requirements by displaying a “certificate of compliance.” Boats built

** Person in the Water (PIW) kit consists of one extra wearable PFD

before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel

and a throwable type IV PFD w/line.

tank compartment.

❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ ❏ 7. BACKFIRE FLAME ARRESTER:

All gasoline pow-

For more information: Ask your Vessel Examiner,

ered inboard/outboard or inboard motor boats must be equipped with an

Visit

approved backfire flame control device.

Vessel Safety Check (Vsc) - Us Coast Guard Page 2

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