Vessel Safety Check
 

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Jerry Chase and his dog Rocky at one of the Squadron's Vessel Safety Checks.

Commander Tom Meyer and Donald Willis inspected P/C Bob Howd's boat and he passed. 

• Safe boating is no accident.  Safety equipment is not only required depending on size of the vessel, it is important and should be in good working order.  A free Vessel Safety Check will help you in both of these key areas, meeting the Federal and State Safety Equipment requirements and making sure it is in good working order.  VEs (Vessel Examiners) in the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons are all volunteers.

• What is a Vessel Safety Check?
   

A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. Items checked include, but not limited to:  Registration or Documentation Papers, State or Federal boat numbers displayed correctly, personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers (Number and type), throwable devise to throw to man overboard, visual distress signals (Flares), noise making device, bilge blowers, running lights and anchor and anchor rode.  Also the examiner will check recommended items such as VHS radio, first aid kit, charts, etc.  Most boats that do not pass on the first inspection fail because they do not have flares that are up-to-date or their running lights fail. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member or the US Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will help make you a safer boater.

This is not a boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this voluntary examination. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter..
 

• Go here for a Virtual Safety Check
   

• How long does a Vessel Safety Check take?

  Most trailer boats can be checked in minutes.
   

• What do I get when my boat is checked?

  All boaters will receive an evaluation form and boats that meet safety requirements will receive a year 2007 Vessel Safety Check decal to be displayed onboard. The evaluation form can be shown at any West Marine, Boat US or Boater's World marine center to purchase necessary safety related items at a discount
   

• What if my boat is at a marina?
   

**Check here to request a Vessel Safety Check **

A virtual safety check is offered by USPS Vessel Check Web Site. For further information, visit their web site or contact the Fort Macon Sail and Power Squadron Vessel Safety Check Chairman, Elliott Manke at 252-728-6707.  Copyright ^© 1997 United States Power Squadrons^® All Rights Reserved. ^®The USPS Ensign (Flag Design), "Wheel-and-Flag Design", "Officer Trident Design"', "United States Power Squadrons", "USPS", "The Ensign", "the Squadron" with flag graphic, "Boat Smart", and "Jet Smart" are registered trademarks of United States Power Squadrons.

The following members of Fort Macon Sail and Power  Squadron are certified Vessel Safety Examiners. Please call one of them and schedule your boat for a Vessel Safety Examination.

Jerry Chase
252-222-4564

Robert Howd
252-728-5669
rhowd@earthlink.net

Brian Jackson
252-808-2586
bjackson6@ec.rr.com

Louise Manke
252-728-6707
elmanke@mail.clis.com

Richard McKeon
252-463-0208
rmckeon@ec.rr.com

Joe Murphy
252-240-1085
seagray@embarqmail.com
 

John Halada
252-222-3940
jhalada@ec.rr.com

Tom Myers
252-504-6134
tdmafton@ec.rr.com

Donald Willis
252-728-5007
dwillis25@ec.rr.com

Robert Peters
252-725-9838

Tom Lenweaver
252-2473246
islandq@earthlink.net

Ann Lenweaver
252-2473246
islandq@earthlink.net