Broadwater Breeze Boating and Safety
Is Your Boat Safe?
Submitted by Phillip Creter, Qualified Vessel Examiner and Instructor, Flotilla 78, USCG Auxiliary
Does your boat have the required equipment to qualify as a “safe boat”? Does your first mate know what to do if the captain becomes disabled while underway in your boat? Does your boat have a 2011 Vessel Safety Check decal? Have you taken an approved safe boating class (Boating Skills and Seamanship Course)?
Do all of your boat operators who were born after January 1, 1988 have a Florida Boating Safety Identification Card if they are operating a motorboat with 10 horsepower or more?
To certify that your boat is safe, a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Examiner will check specific items (based on the size of your vessel) for a successful completion of a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) and on completion, the vessel is issued a Vessel Safety Check decal for the current year.
Items checked are:
Display of Numbers, Registration/Documentation
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs):
Some requirements include: PFDs must be US Coast Guard approved and in good condition. A wearable PFD of suitable size is required for each person on the boat (suggested but not required: with whistle and mirror attached). In Florida waters, children under 6 years of age on any vessel less than 26 feet must wear a properly fitted PFD. PFDs must be immediately available and not be stored in unopened plastic packaging.
Visual Distress Signals (VDSs):
Some requirements include: Min. of 3 day/night flares are required. Flares have expiration dates! Check yours and be certain to have on board VDSs that have not expired!
Mufflers:
All Florida vessel engines must be equipped with an effective muffling device. The use of any type of exhaust cutout that allows exhaust to bypass the engine muffling system is prohibited.
Other Requirements:
Sound Producing Devices, Navigation Lights, Pollution Placard, MARPOL Trash Placard, Ventilation, Backfire Flame Control, Marine Sanitation Devices, Fire Extinguishers, Navigation Rules (a publication by USCG)
It is recommended that you also have on board a basic first aid kit, extra drinking water, a VHF-FM radio, an emergency position indicator radio beacon, and basic tools.
When you enroll in a USCG Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship Course, you will learn more safety specifics and receive a Florida Boater's Guide booklet (and Florida fish ID guide) with all the current boating laws and responsibilities.
A Boating Skills and Seamanship Course program is taught by USCG Aux Flotilla 78 at the Warren Webster Building, 1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach, FL 33706, near the Don Cesar.
This program is held every Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM on a 13-week cycle year round; join anytime and complete within 2 years. For more info on classes, check out http://cgauxdiv7-7.org/flotilla78/boatingprogram.html or feel free to contact Jim @ (727) 360-4846 or Warren @ (727) 321-7801.
If you would like a free Vessel Safety Check, call Phil @ (727) 865-2226.