UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

2012 DIVISION 43

VESSEL EXAMINER

SEMINAR

Prepared by JAMES F. LUBNER, FSO-MT

AND GEORGE R. BORES, FSO-OPS

Flotilla 43-06

One-on-one boater safety education

Promotion of Boating Safety and Boating Safely

Voluntary Compliance

The VSC Program

Trained Qualified Knowledgeable Professional Competent Consistent

The Vessel Examiner

Any recreational boat upon request – owner/operator Boats 65 feet and over are special

circumstance Sailboats with mechanical power = powerboats Special emphasis on Sport/Utility Boats (SUBS)

Note the following in the manual Government-owned boats Boats owned by Scout Groups etc Inflatables Exceptions

Eligible Vessels

Experimental or unproven design Work boats – tugs, dredges, barges etc Submersibles Amphibious vehicles Inflatable Life Rafts Surface-effect Craft Unmanned water-ski towing craft Motorized Surfboards Vessels of Foreign Registry

Vessels NOT Eligible

Only current year VSC decal should

be displayed. Old decals should be removed

before affixing a new one, but a VE / owner may place the new decal directly over any old VSC decal.

VSC Decal must be affixed immediately after inspection by the VE, or by the operator in the presence of the VE.

Awarding the VSC decal

The decal shall be affixed in a location not to interfere with or obscure the operator’s view and be readily visible to authorities while underway.

This is normally on the lower forward corner of a portside window or a lower corner on the portside of the windshield.

If no window is available it may be affixed to the dashboard or the back of a seat. It should only be affixed to permanently installed equipment.

VSC Decal Placement

USCG Approved Equipment Personal Flotation Devices – Life

Jackets Fire Extinguishers Visual Distress Signals Backfire Flame Arrestors Marine Sanitation Devices (MSDs) Navigation Lights (Manufacturer’s

Requirement ONLY)

Decal Requirements

Federal Requirements Laws and regulations enforced by

only USCG and other federal agencies

Only on waters of the United States State Regulations/Local

Ordinances State and local enforcement only Sole State Waters

Enforcement and Applicability ofRequirements

Display on Forward Half of Vessel Painted On or Permanently

Attached Read Left to Right on Both Sides

of Vessel Plain Vertical Block Style Color Contrasts with Background

ITEM #1 – DISPLAY OF NUMBERS

Minimum 3 Inches in Height Full Space Between Letter and

Number Groups (Or Hyphen) Only Number Displayed on

Forward Half of Vessel State Validation Sticker Within 6

Inches

ITEM #1 – DISPLAY OF NUMBERS

WS 1234 ABWS - 1234 - AB

Wisconsin Validation Sticker Must be Displayed 3 Inches Astern of the Registration Numbers

ITEM #1 – DISPLAY OF NUMBERS

VSC Techniques: Ask Owner/Operator for

Registration Card/Papers Must be Onboard Vessel

Whenever Underway Registration Number Must Match

Number Displayed on Hull Ensure HIN On Card/Papers Matches

HIN Displayed on Hull

ITEM #1 – DISPLAY OF NUMBERS

Wisconsin Requirements: All Boats, Except:

Sailboats 12 Feet Long and Under Sailboards Manually Propelled Boats Without

Motors or Sails Boats Registered in Another State

Using Wisconsin Waters for Less Than 60 Consecutive Days

ITEM #2REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATIO

N

Documented Vessels: U.S. Coast Guard Documents Vessels 5 Net Tons or More (About 25 ft Boat) 100 cu. ft. = 1 Net Ton Admeasurement Pleasure Vessels May be Documented or

Registered States May Require Documented Vessels be

Registered and Display Validation Stickers (Wis. Does)

ITEM #2REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATIO

N

Documented Vessels: Original Certificate of

Documentation Must be Kept on the Vessel At All Times

Document Identifies Vessel, Nationality, Authorized Use

Must Have Official Number Permanently Marked on a Clearly Visible, Interior, Structural Part of the Hull

ITEM #2REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATIO

N

Documented Vessels: Numbers: Block Type Arabic

Numerals Not Less Than 3 Inches in Height Preceded by Letters “No.”

No. 1234567

ITEM #2REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATIO

N

Documented Vessels: Pleasure Vessels Must Have Name and

Hailing Port (City and State) Marked Together on a Clearly Visible Part of the Hull in Letters At Least 4 Inches Tall

Hailing Port Marked on Vessel Must Match City and State Listed on Certificate of Documentation

Miss Behaving TooMilwaukee, WI

ITEM #2REGISTRATION/DOCUMENTATIO

N

Requirements – ALL Vessels USCG Approved – Read the Label!! One wearable for each person on board

Proper size and type for person – Check the Label!!

Readily Accessible Serviceable Condition

Item #3 -- PFDs

Throwable Requirement Vessels 16 feet long and longer

Canoes and Kayaks exempt USCG Approved as Type IV– Read the

Label!! Immediately Available Serviceable Condition No attached line required

Item #3 -- PFDs

Inflatables Persons 16 yrs or older and at least 80 #

Hybrid Inflatables for children USCG Approved Type ???– Read the Label!!

Not all are Type V Not all need be worn for VSC

Require Extra Care and Maintenance

Item #3 -- PFDs

Requirement to be worn Federally controlled waters ONLY Boaters younger than 13 years

Underway Not below deck or in enclosed cabin

Consistency with any State Requirement

Item #3 -- PFDs

US Coast Guard Approved Day Only Signals

Orange Smoke CG approved Distress Flag

Night Only Signals Electric Distress Lantern

Day/Night Signals Red Flares Red Rockets

Item # 4 -- Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Serviceable Condition Check Expiration Date Moisture or Other Damage

Readily Accessible

Item # 4 -- Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Carriage Requirement Coastal Waters ONLY

Five Great Lakes – not including Lake St. Clair

Territorial Seas of the US Internal US Waters directly connected to

Great Lakes and territorial seas up to the first point where the distance between shorelines narrows to less than 2 NM.

US vessels operating on the high seas

Item # 4 -- Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Carriage Requirement Daytime and Nighttime Signals

All vessels 16 feet long and longer Except those listed as nighttime only

below Nighttime Signals Only

Vessels less than 16 feet long Open sailboats <26 feet long w/no motor Manually propelled boats Boats in organized events

Item # 4 -- Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Carriage Requirement Pyrotechnic Devices

Three Daytime signals – serviceable condition AND

Three Nighttime signals – serviceable condition OR

Three Day/Night signals– serviceable condition Non-pyrotechnic Devices

Flag must be USCG Approved Electric Lantern must be USCG approved and

must light when activated Remind boater of battery maintenance

Item # 4 -- Visual Distress Signals (VDS)

Vessels Required to Carry Fire Extinguishers: Motorboats with Inboard Engines Motorboats 26 feet in Length and Over

with Outboard Engines Closed Compartments Where Portable

Fuel Tanks May be Stored Closed Living Spaces

ITEM #5FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Vessels Required to Carry Fire Extinguishers: Closed Compartments in which

Flammable or Combustible Materials are Stowed

Double Bottoms/Decks Not Sealed to Hull or Completely Filled with Flotation Foam

Permanently Installed Fuel Tanks Portable Tank that Can’t be Moved is

Considered to be Permanently Installed

ITEM #5FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Minimum Number of Extinguishers Required

Boat Length No Fixed System With Fixed System

< 26’ 1 B-1 None

26’ to < 40’ 2 B-1 or 1 B-2 1 B-1

40’ to 65’ 3 B-1 or 2 B-1 or 1 B1 & 1 B-2 1 B-2

ITEM #5FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

VSC Techniques: All Fire Extinguishers Must be Marked:

Marine Type U S Coast Guard Approved

Label Lists Size and Type Example:

TYPE – B SIZE – I Fire Extinguisher Must be Serviceable Pressure Indicator/Gauge Must Show

Proper Indication

ITEM #5FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

VSC Techniques: Tamper Seals Must Be Intact No Damage or Excessive Corrosion Check Nozzle for Obstruction or Chemical

Powder Pressurized Gas Types Must be

Inspected/Weighed and Tagged Within One Year by Authorized Agency

Fixed Systems Maintained per Manufacturer’s Requirements and Inspected/Weighed and Tagged Within One Year

ITEM #5FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Vessels That Require Ventilation:

Vessels that Use a Gasoline Engine for Electrical Generation, Mechanical Power, or Propulsion

ITEM #6VENTILATION

Compartments That Require Natural Ventilation: Permanently Installed Gasoline Engine Fuel Tank that Vents Into Compartment

Including Portable Tank Non-metallic Fuel Tank Permanently Installed Fuel Tank AND an

Electrical Component Not Ignition Protected

ITEM #6VENTILATION

Each Compartment with Gasoline Engine with Cranking Motor Must be: Open to the Atmosphere; 15 sq. in. per cu. ft. of Volume Or, Be Ventilated by an Exhaust

Blower System

ITEM #6VENTILATION

Vessels That Require Power Ventilation: Vessels Built After 31 JUL 80 Compartments With Gasoline

Engines Except: Vessels of Totally Open

Construction Warning Label Must be Mounted

Near Each Ignition Switch

ITEM #6VENTILATION

VSC Techniques: Open Engine/Fuel Tank Compartments Check for Fuel Leaks/Vapors Check Ducts for Proper Installation,

Kinks, Tears, Obstructions, Location Turn On Blower – Feel Proper Exhaust

Flow Look for “Certificate of Compliance” Meets Requirements If No Obvious

Modifications

ITEM #6VENTILATION

Vessels that Require Backfire Flame Arrestors: Inboard Gasoline Engines Carburetors and Fuel Injection Approved by USCG, SAE, UL

ITEM #7BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL

VSC Techniques: Check Each Engine for Backfire Flame

Arrestor On Each Carburetor Must be Flame-Tight and Clean New Types are Combination Air Filters Do Not Disassemble Anything to Check

Component Look for “Certificate of Compliance”

ITEM #7BACKFIRE FLAME CONTROL

ALL Vessels Must Carry a Means of Producing an Effective Sound Signal (1/2 Mile Range) Vessels Under 12 Meters (39.4 Feet)

Only Need an Athletic Type Whistle or Portable Horn

Vessels 12 Meters (39.4 Feet) and Longer Need an Installed Power Horn (Whistle)

Bells Are No Longer Required on Vessels Under 20 Meters (65 Feet)

ITEM #8SOUND PRODUCING DEVICE

Vessels Required to Display Navigation Lights: All Vessels Operating Between Sunset

and Sunrise All Vessels Operating In or Near Areas

of Reduced Visibility Vessels Under 16 Feet in Length are Not

Required to have Installed Navigation Lights (VSC Decal Requirement Only)

ITEM #9NAVIGATION LIGHTS

VSC Techniques: Installed Navigation Lights Must

Operate Properly Must Display Underway and

Anchor Lights Check for Unlit Lights, Cracked or

Faded Lenses, Proper Configuration

ITEM #9NAVIGATION LIGHTS

Applicability Boats 26 feet and over

With machinery spaces US navigable waters

Not sole state waters Placard

5 x 8 inches Machinery spaces or bilge pump control

All vessels – capacity to retain/manage oily mixtures

Item #10 – Pollution Placard

Placard Vessels 26 feet and Longer US Navigable Waters 4 x 9 inches Prominent location

Written Waste Management Plan Ocean going vessels only

40 feet long and longer Galley and Berthing Space

Item # 11 – MARPOL Trash Regulations

Installed Toilets Must be operable MSD

USCG Approved Vessels 65 feet and less

Flow-Through Devices Types I and II

Holding Tank – Type III No Discharge Zones Overboard Discharge Capacity of an MSD must

be capable of being sealed or otherwise secured Check that Y-valves are sealed in Great Lakes

waters

Item #12 – Marine Sanitation Devices

Boats 12 meters (39.4 feet) and longer, operating under Inland Navigation Rules, must have on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules. Complete copy Non-electronic ?? US Navigable Waters

Inland Only

Item #13 – Navigation Rules

Wisconsin Requirements: (In Addition to Those Already Mentioned) Mufflers Required, Must Not Exceed 86

db Both Battery Terminals Must be

Covered

ITEM #14STATE REQUIREMENTS

Hull Engine Compartment/Bilge Fittings and Rigging Deck Free of Hazards Electrical/Batteries Heating and Cooking Equipment Portable Fuel Tanks Overloading

ITEM #15OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

Not a Detailed Survey of Vessel Do Not Disassemble Anything to

do VSC Discuss Minimum Legal

Requirements vs Safety Recommendations

ITEM #15OVERALL VESSEL CONDITION

Manufacturer’s Requirement Required On Mono-Hulled Boats

Less Than 20 Feet Long, Except Sailboats, Canoes, Kayaks (10 JAN 80)

Weight and Number of People Total Weight of People and Gear Max Horsepower for Outboard

Engines

ITEM #VIICAPACITY PLATE

Questions?

Sound Signal Life jackets (PFDs) Vessel Condition Navigation Lights Visual Distress Signals State/Local

Requirements

7012a Form Section III

V-Dept.

III. Safety Check Requirements Y N N/A

Sound signal (whistle, horn, etc) Life jacket(s) Overall Vessel Condition: as applies

a. Hull & deck sound b. Hatch covers (good condition/secure) c. Deck lines & Bungee Cords d. Hardware secure (in working order) e. Bulkheads/Airbags/Flotation f. Paddle Oars (serviceable)

Navigation Lights; White lights Visual Distress Signals (VDS) State and/or Local Requirements

52

Life Jackets: You must have a wearable USCG approved

(TYPE I, II, or III) PFD for each person on board in all waters.

Though not required, Type I, II, and III Life Jackets should be worn when underway (a life jacket can save your life, but only if you wear it).

Type V must be worn to be counted.53

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Throwable Type IV:

Kayaks and canoes are exempt from carrying the additional throwable PFD (Type IV PFD) that is required for other boats 16 feet or longer.

54

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Navigation lights: minimum requirement A lantern or flashlight showing a white

light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision

55

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Visual Distress Signals: Paddle craft must be equipped with

U.S.C.G. approved Visual Distress Signals for nightime use when on coastal waters -- the Great Lakes, territorial seas & those waters connected directly to them up to the first point where the water body narrows to less than 2 miles wide -- when operating from sunset to sunrise.

56

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Open Water Recommendations

V-Dept.

Manual Pump or Bailer

Spray Skirt

Compass

Spare Oars/Paddles

GPS

EPIRB

Charts

VHF Marine Radio57

Other Recommendations

V-Dept.

EXPOSURE SUIT

HELMETS

FLOAT PLAN

FOOD & SNACKS

WATER

FIRST AIDKIT

WATERPROOF BAG FOR ID &

PERSONAL ITEMS

SUNSCREEN 58

Other Recommendations“If Found – Contact” Decal

V-Dept.

Recommend that the paddler use this decal.

Provide the paddler with one during VSC.

Available from DIRAUX or your District RBS Specialist.

59