UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

2011 NATIONAL

VESSEL EXAMINER WORKSHOP

PADDLECRAFT

MODULE 4

Prepared by the NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF VESSEL EXAMINATION

AND RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY VISITATION

To familiarize our Vessel Examiners with the variety of Paddle Craft that they may encounter in the performance of their duties

To introduce our Vessel Examiners to the new “7012a Form” for Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Checks, and explain the significant changes

To help educate our Vessel Examiners to understand the specific needs of these craft, and provide them with recommendations to enhance their personal contacts with the paddling public

Workshop Objectives

V-Dept.

Types of Paddle Craft

V-Dept.

KAYAKS

ROWBOATS

CANOES

Types of Paddle Craftcontinued

PADDLEBOARDS

SCULLS

PADDLE BOATS

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New “7012a” Form

V-Dept.

The 7012a form Created by the National

V-Department Staff Released in Dec.2010 Currently available in

online version Available through

ANSC (in a carbon copy form / Spring 2011)

To be used for Paddle Craft VSC’s in place of the current 7012 form for 2011

New “7012a” Formcontinued

V-Dept.

To be completed in the same manner as the 7012 form

Broken down into 5 sections, plus a Vessel Examiner Comments space for any handwritten notes

Sections 1, 2, and 3, must be completed for award of the VSC decal

Section I Name Attended

Safe Boating Class Related Skills Class

Location County and

State

Current Decal Status

Last Year Outdated First Time

7012a Form Section I

I. Owner / Operator Information Name:

Attended Safe Boating Class: Yes No Attended Related Skills Class: Yes No Location of VSC- County: State: Replaced decal was: Check a selection below Last Year Outdated First Time

V-Dept.

Some recognized classes:

USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating Class Power Squadron American Canoe Association Local Metro Parks State DNR Others

Safe Boating Classes

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Some related classes:

USCG Auxiliary Paddle Sports America Class ACA Level I

Intro to Paddlecraft Basic Paddling Skills Rescue & Safety

Local Metro Parks Local Sporting Goods & Outdoor Stores

Bass Pro Shops Gander Mountain Cabela’s

Related Skills Classes

V-Dept.

Section II Registration and/or HIN # Make and Model Type of Paddle Craft

Kayak, Canoe, Row Boat, Paddleboard, Scull, Other

Color Deck / Hull

Length Where used

Protected Open Swift

7012a Form Section II

V-Dept.

II. Paddle Craft Information Registration No. HIN: Make & Model: Kayak Canoe Row Boat Paddleboard Scull Other: Color: Deck Hull Length (in feet): <12 12-16 >16 Water craft used in: Protected Open Swift

Section III Sound Signal Life jackets (PFD’s) Overall Vessel Condition

a. through f.

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

Sound producing device: Navigation rules require sound signals to be made under

certain circumstances as well as in periods of reduced visibility The most common sound producing device a paddler carries is

a whistle The whistle needs to be readily available to any paddle craft

operator Any approved sound producing device can be used

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Life Jackets (PFD’s) Life Jacket: You must have a wearable USCG approved

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

Though not required to be worn at all times, a Life Jacket should be worn at all times when underway (A PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it)

Kayaks and canoes are exempt from carrying the additional throwable PFD (Type IV PFD) that is required for other boats over 16 ft

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Overall Vessel Condition Vessel should be in good

serviceable condition No leaky holes No cracks No lines or fittings in

disrepair

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

which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision

Visual Distress Signals :

Paddlecraft must be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved Visual Distress Signal’s when on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas & those waters connected directly to them that are greater than 2 miles wide.

Signals can be pyrotechnic or electronic (electronic are accepted for night use only).

Required GearFederal

V-Dept.

Local / State Regulations: Vessel Examiners must be knowledgeable of their home State

requirements before doing a Vessel Safety Check on any paddle craft

If you are performing Vessel Safety Checks in different States, please refer to that State’s Maritime Law Enforcement Agency for their specific laws

* DISCUSSION *

Take a minute to briefly discuss your State’s requirements

Local / State Regulations

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Section IV Pump or bailer Spray skirt Spare paddle/oars Compass/GPS/Charts Tow/Boat Recovery VHF Marine Radio

7012a Form Section IV

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IV. Open Water Recommendations Y N N/A Pump or bailer Spray skirt Spare paddle / oars Compass / GPS / navigation chart Tow / boat recovery system Marine radio (VHF) / cell phone / PLB

It is important that the Vessel Examiner be familiar with these items and their uses to help educate novice paddlers during VSC’s.

Open Water Recommendations

V-Dept.

Manual Pump or Bailer

Spray Skirt

Compass

Spare Oars/Paddles

GPS

EPIRB

Charts

VHF Marine Radio

Section V Dress appropriately Personal ID

Waterproof bag Float Plan Food and Water Assess the risk High Visibility Clothing Emergency Kit Self rescue systems “If Found – Contact” Decal Accident reporting responsibility

7012a Form Section V and VE Comments

V. Other Recommendations Y N N/A

Dressed for immersion / helmet Personal ID on operator Float plan with someone on shore Adequate food and water / Sun Protection Assess the risk / good awareness High visibility clothing, gear, etc. Appropriate emergency kit (might include first-aid kit, knife, repair kit, etc.)

Appropriate self-rescue system / skills Contact information affixed to craft Accident Reporting – Owner Responsible Anchor lights (if applicable)

Vessel Examiner Comments

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Other Recommendations

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EXPOSURE SUIT

HELMETS

FLOAT PLAN

FOOD & SNACKS

WATER

FIRST AIDKIT

WATERPROOF BAG FOR ID &

PERSONAL ITEMS

SUNSCREEN

Other RecommendationsNew “If Found – Contact” Decal

V-Dept.

“If Found – Contact” Decal The VE should recommend that

the paddler use this decal and provide the paddler with one during VSC, if possible.

"Available by DIRAUX or your District RBS Specialist. Please see your DSO-VE for specific contact information."

7012a FormBack of Paddler’s Copy

V-Dept.

Back of Paddler’s Copy The back of the paddler’s copy

of the 7012a form contains useful information and details, which correspond to the boxes on the front of the form

This allows the VE to flip the form over and locate the answers to questions that may be asked of him/her during an inspection

This information can also be useful to the paddler

Hopefully this workshop has helped provide you with some new information and tools to expand your Paddle Craft knowledge.

This workshop is not designed to make Paddle Craft experts out of you, but to help you improve your personal interactions with

members of the paddling community.

As Vessel Examiners we need to realize that not all Paddlers we are going to make contact with are experienced, it is our job to

educate all we encounter to the best of our abilities.

Summation

V-Dept.

PREVENTION THROUGH INTERACTION

2011 V-Department Staff Officers

Director (DIR-V) Lillian M. Haines

Deputy Director (DIR-VD) Richard E. Myrick

Division Chief – Qualifications (DVC-VQ) Carole A. Falcone

Division Chief – Technical Support (DVC-VT) James F. Lubner

Division Chief – Incentive Programs (DVC-VI) Michael S. Klacik

Division Chief – Communications (DVC-VC) Paul J. Mayer Jr.

We Save Lives !!!