Vessel Safety Checks

EVEN EXPERIENCED BOATERS NEED A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK!
15 minutes could save your life and the life of your family

A Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is performed at your boat – ranging in locations from bot to your driveway. A Vessel Safety Check usually takes 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of your boat. 

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Courtesy Marine Exam

“Your Safe Boating Should Include a CME”

Make the SEAL OF SAFETY a part of your boat by getting a Coast Guard Auxiliary Courtesy Marine Examination: It is a FREE check of your boat’s equipment covering federal and state safety related requirements plus additional standards recommended by the Auxiliary. 

The examination is conducted only with your consent. The examiners performing this service are all members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, who have been carefully trained to look for some of the more common problems, which might occurs with your boat, or its associated safety related equipment. If your boat meets the CME requirements, the award of the decal is your assurance that your boat is properly equipped for fun and safety on the water. 

At the conclusion of the examination, a copy of the checklist is given to you. A CME is not a law enforcement activity. No report of you or your boat is ever made to any law enforcement agency. Only a statistical count of the number of examinations is made to the Coast Guard. 

In addition to federal requirements, a vessel must meet the following Coast Guard Auxiliary standards for award of the courtesy Marine Examination decal.

1. Numbering: The boat’s number must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel and no other number may be displayed thereon. Numbers are to read left to right, be plain, vertical block characters, of a color contrasting with the background, distinctly visible and legible, and not less than 3 inches in height. A space or dash must separate letters from numbers. (IL – 1234 – AB).
2. Personal Floatation Devices: Acceptable PFDs shall be U.S. Coast Guard Approved, in good and serviceable condition, and of suitable size for the wearer. Wearable PFDs shall be readily accessible and throwable devices shall be immediately available for use. Boats 16 feet or longer must have Type I, II, or III (wearable) PFDs of suitable size for each person on board and one type IV (throwable) in each boat. A minimum of 3 PFDs (two wearable and one throwable) is required regardless of the number of persons on board. Boats less than 16 feet in length must have one type I, II, III, or IV PFD of a suitable size for each person on board. A minimum of two PFDs is required regardless of the number of persons on board. 
3. Fire Extinguishers: Courtesy Marine Examinations requirements exceed the federal regulations by requiring the vessels carry a minimum of one B-1 Fire Extinguisher. Only sailboats less than 16 feet without mechanical propulsion are exempt.

   
   Minimum number of Coast Guard approved, properly secured, hand portable extinguishers required. 

   Vessel Length	No Fixed System	With Fixed System
   <26	1 | B-1	1 | B-1
   26 up to 40	2 | B-1  OR  1 | B-2	1 | B-1
   40 up to 65	3 | B-1  OR  1 | B-1 + 1 | B-2	1 | B-2

    

4. Ventilation: The requirements are the same as federal regulations. Boats with closed engine compartments built before August 1, 1980 must have either natural or powered ventilation; those built after that date must have  powered ventilation in the engine compartment. Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built before August 1, 1978 must have either natural or powered ventilation in the compartment; those built after that date need not have any ventilation in the fuel tank compartment provided the compartment conforms to construction standards. Any compartment containing portable type gasoline containers must be ventilated naturally or with sufficient compartment area open to the atmosphere. 
5. Backfire Flame Arrester: Examination requirements are more stringent than the federal regulations. All gasoline 5, inboard motorboats, regardless of date of construction or engine installation, must be equipped with the suitable means of backfire flame control. 
6. Sound Producing Devices: For compliances with “Navigation Rules” and for distress signaling purposes, all boats must carry some type of sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4 second blast audible for a half mile.
7. Navigation Lights: Vessels less than 16 feet in length are not required to have navigation lights . However, if the boat is equipped with them, they must be properly located. All other vessels must have operable navigation lights of proper configuration to receive a Courtesy Marine Examination Decal. 
8. Visual Distress Signals: All recreational boats used on coastal waters, Great Lakes or the high seas, are required to carry Coast Guard Approved Visual Distress Signals in order to qualify  for the CMF Decal. For vessels operating on inland waters, the Auxiliary requires some means of making a suitable day and night visual distress signal. The type of device and the amount carried is best judged by taking into account the size of the area and the conditions under which the boat will be operating. Recommended equipment could include one of more of the following:

    

   Night	Daylight
   Strobe Light	Signal Mirror
   Flashlight or Flags Lantern	Red or Orange

   Courtesy Marine Exam
   Requirements That Have No
   Corresponding Federal Regulations

9. Fuel Systems: Portable fuel tanks (7 gallon capacity or less) must be constructed of sturdy non-breakable material in safe condition. Tanks shall be free of excessive corrosion and must not leak. Any vents must be capable of being closed and the tank must have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap. All tanks must be properly secured in the boat to prevent excessive movement. Permanent fuel tanks (7 gallon capacity) and fuel lines must be free of excessive corroson and not leak. Fuel tanks must be secured and grounded. The fuel fill pipe must be tightly fitted to fill plate and located outside of a closed compartment, where any spilled fuel will be directed overboard. A vent terminating outboard of the hull and compartments must lead to each permanent fuel tank. 
10. Anchor and Anchor Line: The boat must be equipped with an adequate anchor and line of suitable size and length of locality. 
11. Alternate Propulsion: All boats less than 16 feet must carry a second method of propulsion,. A paddle, oar or other suitable device meets these requirements. If an alternate means of mechanical propulsion is carried (another outboard or tolling motor), it must use a separate fuel and starting source from the main propulsion. 
12. Dewatering Device: All boats must carry at least one effective manual dewatering device (bucket, can, scoop, etc). This requirement is in addition to any installed electrical bilge pump that the vessel may have on board. An installed electrical or mechanical bilge pump is not a requirement for the award of the CME decal; however, if such pump is installed it must be in satisfactory operating condition. 
13. General Condition: The boat must be free from fire hazards, in good overall condition, with the bilges reasonably clean and the visible hull and structure generally sound. The maximum person capacity and horsepower must not be exceeded. 
14. Galley Equipment: Appliances and their fuel tanks must be properly secured, and the system must not leak (no order of fuel must be detected when the system is turned on). There must be no flammable material in the vicinity of stoves or heaters. Adequate ventilation must be provided for appliances and their fuel supply. Appliance fuel shut off valves must be readily accessible. Only common appliance fuels must be used on vessels. Gasoline, Naphtha, or Benzene are not allowed due to their highly volatile nature. 
15. Electrical: Wiring must be in good condition and properly installed. No exposed area or deteriorated insulation is permitted. The electrical system must be protected by fuses or manual resetting circuit breakers. Switches and fuse panels must be protected from rain or spray. Batteries must be secured to prevent movement and the terminals covered to prevent accidental arching. Safety standards in effect on the date of certification. 
16. Oily Waste Discharges: Federal law requires all vessels 26 feet and over to display the following “Oily Waste Discharge Placard” in the engine compartment or by the fuel pumping station. 

Discharge of Oil Prohibited: The Federal Water Pollution Control Act prohibits the discharge of oil or oily waste into or upon, or discoloration of the surface of the water, or causes sludge of emulsion beneath the surface of the water. Violators are subject to a penalty of $5,000.00.