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Vessel Safety Checks:

Item listed below are the things mostly checked during a vessel check.

Numbering:

The boat’s registration number must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat.

They must be plain, vertical, block characters, not less than three (3) inches high, and in a color contrasting with the background.

A space or hyphen must separate the letters from the numbers. Place State tax sticker according to State policy. (e.g. FL 1234 AB or FL-1234-AB)
 

Registration and Documentation:

Registration or Documentation papers must be on board and available.  Documentation numbers must be permanently marked on a visible part of the interior structure.

The documented boat’s name and hailing port must be displayed on the exterior hull in letters not less than 4 inches in height. To be documented a boat must be 5 net tons or greater.
 

Personal Flotation Devices (PFD):

Acceptable PFDs (Life Jackets) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved, in good serviceable condition, and of suitable size for the each person on the boat.   Children must have properly fitted PFDs designed for children.

Wearable PFDs and throwable devices shall be "readily accessible.“  PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging.

For Personal Watercraft riders, many states require that the PFD be worn and they may also require an impact rating.

Boats 16 Feet or longer, must also have one Type IV Throwable device..

Visual Distress Signals (VDS):

Recreational boats 16 feet and over used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes require a minimum of either:

1. Three day and 3 night pyrotechnic devices, or 3 combination day/night devices.
2. Non-pyrotechnic devices day (flag) and one night (auto SOS light) or
3. A combination of 1) and 2). Recreational boats less than 16 feet on coastal waters or the Great Lakes need only carry night visual  distress signals when operating from sunset to sunrise.

It is recommended, but not required, that boats operating on non-coastal waters should have some means of making a suitable day and night distress signal.  The number and type of signals is best judged by Considering conditions under which the boat will be operating.

Fire Extinguishers:

Fire extinguishers are required if one of the following conditions exists:

1. Inboard engine(s)
2. Closed compartments that store portable fuel tanks
3. Double bottom hulls not completely sealed or not completely filled with flotation material
4. Closed living space
5. Closed stowage compartments that contain flammable materials or
6. Permanently installed fuel tanks

Ventilation:

Boats with gasoline engines in closed compartments, built after 1 August 1980 must have a powered ventilation system.  Those built prior to that date must have natural or powered ventilation.

Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after August 1, 1978 must meet
requirements by displaying a "certificate of compliance."

Boats built before that date must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment.
 

Backfire Flame Control:

All gasoline powered inboard/outboard or inboard motor boats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device.
 

Sound Producing Devices:

To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for ½ mile.

Boats 20 meters and over are required to carry a bell of 300 mm minimum diameter. 
 

Boats from 12 to less than 20 meters are not required to carry a bell but must be able to make the appropriate bell sound when operating under the Inland Navigation Rules.

Navigation Lights:

All boats must be able to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in/near conditions of reduced visibility.

Boats 16 feet or more in length must have properly installed, working navigation lights and an all-around anchor light capable of being lit independently from the red/green/white "running" lights.
 

Pollution Placard:

Boats 26 feet and over must display an oily waste "pollution" placard.
 

MARPOL Trash Placard:

Boats 26 feet and over in length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard.

Oceangoing Boats 40 feet and over must also display a written trash disposal plan.
 

Marine Sanitation Devices:

Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device.   Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed.
 

Navigation Rules:

Boats 39.4 feet and over, when operating on Inland Waters, must have on board a current copy of the Navigation Rules.
 

State and/or Local Requirements:

These requirements must be met before the "Vessel Safety Check" decal can be awarded.

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

Overall Vessel Condition:

Deck free of hazards and clean bilge:

The boat must be free from fire hazards, in good overall condition, with bilges reasonably clean and visible hull structure generally sound. The use of automobile parts on boat engines is not acceptable. The engine horsepower must not exceed that shown on the capacity plate.
 

Safe Electrical and Fuel Systems:

The electrical system - Must be protected by fuses or manual reset circuit breakers.

• Switches and fuse panels must be protected from rain or water spray. Wiring must be in good condition, properly installed and with no exposed areas or deteriorated insulation.
• Batteries must be secured and terminals covered to prevent accidental arcing
• All PWCs require an operating self circling or kill switch mechanism.

Fuel Systems - Portable fuel tanks (normally 7 gallon capacity or less) must be constructed of non-breakable material and free of corrosion and leaks.

• 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 properly ventilated.

Safe Galley and Heating Systems:

System and fuel tanks must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby.