Coast Guard Courtesy Exam
Every boater should know about this!
No, you don't have to study. But there are a few things you need to do to get your boat ready for the season.
The U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy Exam is a safety check of your vessel to make sure that it is up to the minimum safety standards set by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is conducted by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron. They do not get paid for their services. They do it voluntarily. They must take a course and participate as observers several times before they may conduct the exam.
It is not an official boarding. It doesn't cost anything and there will be no citations issued.
We here at the Frugal Mariner strongly urge every boat owner to obtain a Coast Guard Courtesy Exam for your boat annually. What do you get out of it besides a safer boat? Well, that should be enough but they also provide you with a VSC (Vessel Safety Check) sticker.
The U.S. Coast Guard Courtesy Exam is a safety check of your vessel to make sure that it is up to the minimum safety standards set by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is conducted by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron. They do not get paid for their services. They do it voluntarily. They must take a course and participate as observers several times before they may conduct the exam.
It is not an official boarding. It doesn't cost anything and there will be no citations issued.
We here at the Frugal Mariner strongly urge every boat owner to obtain a Coast Guard Courtesy Exam for your boat annually. What do you get out of it besides a safer boat? Well, that should be enough but they also provide you with a VSC (Vessel Safety Check) sticker.
While they probably won't tell you this officially, displaying this sticker should help insulate you against an Official Coast Guard Boarding where they can issue citations. Look at it this way, if you were a Coast Guard guy and it was your daily task to board vessels to check for safety (and other) issues, you would probably more likely board a vessel which does not display a sticker. You would be even less likely to be boarded if you were a member of either the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron and were flying their Ensign as well as displaying the V.S.C. sticker. However, if you're acting goofy, or in obvious violation of the rules you should expect to be boarded.
U.S. Power Squadron Ensign
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign
NOTE: You may not fly these ensigns unless you are a member of the organization whose ensign you are flying.
To prepare for the Coast Guard Courtesy Exam you should first read this:
There are some safety items you may need for your boat. We've done some price shopping for you to help save you some of your hard-earned money:
Click on Image to request a
Vessel Safety Check
Vessel Safety Check
Here's an idea for a group project for your local boating organization, or just the folks on your dock. Organize a Vessel Safety Check for the boats in your marina. Call or e-mail the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxilliary and arrange a date. Set up a couple of weeks before with posters and sign up sheets. Maybe the marina office could send out a mass e-mailing to their customers announcing the event. Hand out information to the folks who sign up so they can prepare. To save money, you might approach some of the marine businesses in the area to come up with a group discount for safety equipment; life jackets, flares, fire extinguishers, throw rings. Make an event of it - serve coffee and doughnuts. Give out prizes to all boat owners whose boats receive a perfect score.
To see a copy of the form the Coast Guard Auxilliary or the U.S. Power Squadron uses to conduct the Vessel Safety Check click here:
"PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFDs): Acceptable PFDs (also known as Life Jackets) must be U.S. Coast Guard approved and in good, serviceable condition. A wearable PFD of suitable size is required for the each person on the boat. Children must have properly fitted PFDs designed for children. Wearable PFDs shall be “readily accessible.”
Boats 16 Feet or longer, must also have one Type IV (throwable) device, which shall be “immediately available.” PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging. For Personal Watercraft riders, the PFD must be worn. An impact rating is recommended, but not required." (Quoted directly from the Vessel Safety Check inspection form)
Types of P.F.D. s:
TYPE 1
Offshore Life Jacket
This PFD is designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It is designed to and usually will turn an unconscious person face up. It has over 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be delayed.
Boats 16 Feet or longer, must also have one Type IV (throwable) device, which shall be “immediately available.” PFDs shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging. For Personal Watercraft riders, the PFD must be worn. An impact rating is recommended, but not required." (Quoted directly from the Vessel Safety Check inspection form)
Types of P.F.D. s:
TYPE 1
Offshore Life Jacket
This PFD is designed for extended survival in rough, open water. It is designed to and usually will turn an unconscious person face up. It has over 22 pounds of buoyancy. This is the best PFD to keep you afloat in remote regions where rescue may be delayed.
Captain Larry says: "History is only a moment away. In one careless moment, you could be history."
Life Jackets
TYPE 2
Near Shore
Buoyant Vest
This life jacket is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. It comes in several sizes for adults and children. It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I, and many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. Most boaters opt for the Type 2 as it is legal, and stores in a smaller space.
TYPE 3
Flotation Aid
These life jackets are generally considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes and styles.
TYPE 4
Throwable Device
A life preserver is a cushion or ring and is not worn. It is designed to be used in two ways. It can be grasped and held until the person is rescued, or it can be thrown to someone in the water until he or she is rescued.
Near Shore
Buoyant Vest
This life jacket is for calm inland water where there is chance of fast rescue. It comes in several sizes for adults and children. It is less bulky and less expensive than a Type I, and many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water. Most boaters opt for the Type 2 as it is legal, and stores in a smaller space.
TYPE 3
Flotation Aid
These life jackets are generally considered the most comfortable, with styles for different boating activities and sports. They are for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up. Flotation aids come in many sizes and styles.
TYPE 4
Throwable Device
A life preserver is a cushion or ring and is not worn. It is designed to be used in two ways. It can be grasped and held until the person is rescued, or it can be thrown to someone in the water until he or she is rescued.
Fire Extinguishers
Types of Fires
Class A
Ordinary Combustibles ( Includes wood, paper, cushions, canvas, fiberglass, rubber, many plastics, and other materials that burn easily and account for many boat fires. These can be extinguished with water. )
Class B
Flammable Liquids Includes gasoline, propane, diesel fuel, oils, grease, paints, tars, lacquers, and flammable gases.
Class C
Energized Electrical Equipment Includes wiring, fuel hoses, circuit breakers, machinery, and appliances.
Class D
Fires involving combustible metals like magnesium or sodium. These are not likely to be of concern on recreational boats so we will not concern ourselves with them.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Typical of humankind, the designations for the types of fire extinguishers are more complex and confusing than they would have to be. We have to live with it. One would think, however, that a type B fire extinguisher would be handy for extinguishing Class B fires.
For instance a "Type A, Size II, Type B:C, Size I" is a B-I extinguisher. Got it? Neither do we.
In an attempt to remove the confusion, here's what you need:
1. It must say "Marine Type USCG" somewhere on the label.
2. If it says ABC in black letters on a yellow background - it will do all three classes of fires.
3. There are two sizes to choose from: Size 1 and Size 2. (Not complicated - surprised?) There are larger sizes but they are too big for most recreational boats.
4. If you read the fine print - all types of fire extinguishers are not recommended for every type of fire.
(Carbon dioxide - CO2 - only for class B and C fires - not recommended for Class A fires because of the danger of spreading it with the high pressure gas. Halon is not sold anymore because of the danger to the ozone layer and is not recommended for Class A fires because it vaporizes too quickly. Dry chemical (for Types A, B and C) is not recommended for marine use because it is highly corrosive and the way in which it obtains its class A rating is its ability to melt, seep and encase. This necessitates dismantling of equipment to repair or rebuild. Foam is recommended only for Class A and B. It is not recommended for class C because it is water based and electricity and water don't mix.)
5. In spite of all the caveats, go with the Dry Chemical for most of your extinguishers. If you have to rebuild because of the corrosion- well, okay - it's better than watching the boat burn to the waterline.
Fighting Fires
Fight a fire yourself only if:
It's small and confined to the immediate area where it started. Generally, if you don't get to it within two minutes, you're too late.
You have a way out and can fight with your back to the exit.
Your extinguisher is rated for the class of fire at hand. (If you bought ABC units, you don't have to worry about this.) Only Class A fires can be extinguished with water.
You are confident that you can operate your extinguisher effectively: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Hold the unit upright. Sweep from side to side at the base, or use a series of short blasts aimed at the base. Check for glowing or smoldering embers and repeat the procedure if "flashback" occurs.
If you have the slightest doubt about whether you can contain the fire, don't even try. Your first concern is the safety of the people aboard. Notify someone immediately of your situation and location before the fire burns through the battery cables or forces you off the boat.
Burning fiberglass is extremely hot and gives off noxious fumes. If fiberglass is burning, get off the boat immediately.
Portable Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Inspect once a month, more often if exposed to weather.
Have the unit weighed annually to verify it's fully charged. Gauges fail often enough that they cannot always be relied on. Twice a year, remove unit from bracket, turn upside down and shake to loosen any dry chemical compacted at the bottom.
Recharge or replace after any use. Recharges run $15-25. Inexpensive units can be replaced for about the same amount.
Never check a unit by partially discharging it. Remaining pressure in canister can leak out over time.
Have a full maintenance check annually by a qualified technician; see the Yellow Pages under "Fire Extinguishers." A more economical method: weigh the unit yourself every year, and replace it every few years.
There are minimum requirements mandated by the U.S. Coast guard for carrying fire extinguishers on your vessel. Carrying the absolute minimum is legal, but probably foolish.
When a fire breaks out, you need to have an extinguisher at hand. And you need to know how to use it.
Hunting for a fire extinguisher and then taking the time to read the instructions in an emergency is simply out of the question and will likely result in the property loss, injury and possibly loss of life.
Fire extinguishers are not so terribly expensive. Not having them can be.
The Frugal Mariner will always try to save money - but buy what you need, not just what is required. Be prudent, not cheap.
When a fire breaks out, you need to have an extinguisher at hand. And you need to know how to use it.
Hunting for a fire extinguisher and then taking the time to read the instructions in an emergency is simply out of the question and will likely result in the property loss, injury and possibly loss of life.
Fire extinguishers are not so terribly expensive. Not having them can be.
The Frugal Mariner will always try to save money - but buy what you need, not just what is required. Be prudent, not cheap.
NOTE
THIS
THIS
TYPE 5
Special Use Device
Special use PFDs include work vests, deck suits, and hybrids for restricted use. Hybrid vests contain some internal buoyancy and are inflatable to provide additional flotation.
TYPE 3 and 5
Inflatable Life Jacket
These are highly visibile when inflated and turns most wearers and unconscious users face-up faster than traditional PFD's.
Infant/Child Life Jackets
An infant / child life jacket should have a crotch strap to help keep the life jacket on. It should have an oversized float collar which keeps the child's head out of the water; and a grab strap, to make it easier to pull your tyke out of the water.
The Coast Guard recommends that for infants below 18 pounds, parents test them in a swimming pool in a PFD sized correctly before taking them onboard a recreational boat. Ensure that the device will float the infant with the tyke's face out of the water. Know the PFD works. Don't put your child at risk, even if you don't like him much.
Find out the regulations in your state regarding PFD use by children. Click here.
There is a Life Jacket Loan Program sponsored by the Boat US Foundation. If you don't go boating often and don't want or can't afford the expense of new life jackets for your children (you can't stop them, they'll outgrow the old one), click here.
If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution to this worthwhile program - click here.
Life Jackets for Pets
While not mandated, if you love your pet, you'll want a life jacket for him. Your pet may be able to swim - but if he goes overboard, having a life jacket will make it easier to locate him and if it has a 'grab strap' it will be easier to retrieve him.
Life Jackets for Pets
While not mandated, if you love your pet, you'll want a life jacket for him. Your pet may be able to swim - but if he goes overboard, having a life jacket will make it easier to locate him and if it has a 'grab strap' it will be easier to retrieve him.
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Notice: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided on this website is accurate, we can not be held responsible for any mishaps which may occur as a result of your using information found in this website without verification through other, more authoritative sources such as the U.S. Coast Guard. |
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