Vessel Safety Check (VSC)

What is a VSC?

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. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The Examiner will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that can 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 encounter. 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.

This is the decal
you want for your boat

Why should I get a VSC?

When you are on the water, you can be approached by the Coast Guard, the CG Auxiliary, Harbor Patrol, or any other law enforcement representative, and be asked to show that you are complying with the boating laws of the area, specifically as to required safety issues and as to intoxication. If you are cited for a violation, you can be fined, and/or your boat can be impounded. In the simplest case, you will be escorted off the warter and given a warning. By allowing certified agencies, such as Coast Guard or USPS, to give you a courtesy VSC, you can find out what you lack. In many cases, it is something simple, such as expired flares, not enough PFDs, or too many passengers. These are all easy to fix. When your boat displays a current VSC sticker, you know your boat was, at the time, in compliance, and that you know what is needed to stay in compliance.

What are the requirements to pass a VSC?

The checklist the USPS Vessel Safety Check Examiners will use has fifteen items with which you must comply to receive the USPS VSC decal. Your specific requirements depend on the type of boat you have and its length. Please CLICK HERE to see the checklist. CLICK HERE to see explanations. CLICK HERE to see the official USCG Minimum Equipment Requirements for Recreational Vessels broken out by vessel length.


What is the 2008 Arrowhead schedule for performing VSCs?

We will be at the Lake Perris launch ramp at lot 9
every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
We do this in conjunction with our Vests For Life program.

  May 24-25
  Jun 1
  Jul 5-6
  Aug 2-3
  Sep 6-7
  May 31
  Jun 7-8
  Jul 12-13
  Aug 9-10
  
  
  Jun 14-15
  Jul 19-20
  Aug 16-17
  
  
  Jun 21-22
  Jul 26-27 
  Aug 23-24 
  
  
  Jun 28-29
  
  Aug 30-31
  
Note: = completed

Our VSC events are usually all-day events, but giving your boat a VSC only takes about ten minutes. You do not need to make an appointment.
Just pick a day you want to go out boating and show up at one of the above locations with your boat.
Look for our VSC Examiners wearing red polo shirts and khaki shorts and hats.

If you can't make it to any of these scheduled events, you can fill out the form below and we will accommodate you.


How can I get a VSC?

Fill out the following form. You will be contacted by a Vessel Safety Check Examiner.


First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City:
State/Province:
Zip/Postal Code:
Email Address:
Phone Number:
Boat Name:
Boat Type:
Boat Length:
Comments to the VSC Examiner:

 

For more specific information, please send an email to: VSC@ArrowheadSPS.org