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VSC Requirement Item |
Non Powered |
Powered<16 feet |
Powered 16<26 feet |
Powered 26<40 feet |
Powered 40-65 feet |
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1. Numbering: The boats registration numbers must be permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. Characters must be plain vertical block style, not less than 3 inches high, and in a color contrasting with the background. A space or hyphen must separate the letters from the numbers. Place state validation tax sticker according to state policy.
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Some states may require |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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2. Registration/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 boats name and haling port must be displayed on the exterior hull in letters not less than 4 inches in height.
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Some states may require |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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3. Personal Floatation Devices: Acceptable PFD's (also known as Life Jackets) must be Coast Guard approved and in good serviceable condition. A wearable PFD of suitable size is required for each person on the boat. Children must have a properly fitted PFD designed for children. Wearable PFD's shall be "readily accessible". Boats 16 feet or longer must also have one Type IV (throwable) device which shall be "immediately available". PFD's shall NOT be stored in unopened plastic packaging. For personal watercraft riders, the PFD must be worn. An impact rating is also recommended but not required.
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1 each POB.
16 ft or greater requires 1 Type IV |
1 Each POB |
1 each POB + 1 Type IV |
1 each POB + 1 Type IV |
1 each POB + 1 Type IV |
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4. Visual Distress Signals: Recreational boast 16 feet and over used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes are required to carry a minimum of either a) three day and three Coast Guard approved night pyrotechnic devices, b) one day non-pyrotechnic device (flag), and one night non-pyrotechnic device (automated SOS light), or c) a combination of a) and b). Recreational boats less than 16 ft 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 inland 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. The VSC program requires small flares for all PWC's plus, regardless of size or propulsion, all vessels shall have a means of making distress signal or visually identifying themselves (i.e. flashlight etc.)
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If<16 ft, night devices required only when operating at night |
Night devices required only when operating at night |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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5. Fire Extinguishers: UL or Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are require if one of the following conditions exist: a. Inboard engine(s) b. Double bottom hulls not completely sealed or not completely filled with floatation materials. c. Closed living space d. Closed stowage compartments that contain flammable materials. e. Permanently installed fuel tanks
Recreational boats less than 26 ft and propelled by outboard motors are NOT required to have fire extinguishes unless one or more of the conditions listed above applies. A 'Fixed System' replaces the requirement of the one B1 fire extinguisher. NOTE: Fire extinguishers must be readily accessible and verified serviceable.
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Not Required |
1 BI |
1 BI |
2 BI's or 1 BII |
3 BIII's or 1 BI & 1 BII |
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6. Ventilation: Boats with gasoline engines in closed compartments built after 1-Aug-80 must have a powered ventilation system. Those built prior to that date must have a natural or powered ventilation. Boats with closed fuel tank compartments built after 1-Aug-78 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.
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Not Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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7. Backfire Flame Arrestor: All gasoline powered inboard/outboard or inboard motors must be equipped with a Coast Guard approved backfire flame control device
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Not Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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8. Sound Producing Device: To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes, all boast must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for 1/2 mile. Boats larger than 39.4 ft are also required to have a bell (see Navigation Rules).
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Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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9. Navigation Lights: All boats must be able to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility. Boats 16 ft 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.
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Required If <16 ft, a flashlight may be acceptable |
Required a flashlight may be acceptable |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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10. Pollution Placard: Boats 26 ft and over must display an oily waste "pollution" placard of at least 5"x8", and made of durable material and fixed in a conspicuous location in the machinery compartment or bilge.
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Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Required |
Required |
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11. MARPOL Trash Placard: Boats 26 ft and over in length operating in U.S. navigable waters must display a "MARPOL" trash placard. Oceangoing boats 40 ft and over must also have a written trash disposal plan available on board.
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Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Required |
Required Plus a written trash plan |
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12. Marine Sanitation Device: Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device. Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed.
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Required (if any) |
Required (if any) |
Required (if any) |
Required (if any) |
Required (if any) |
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13. Navigation Rules: Boats 39.4 ft and over must have on board a current edition of the complete Navigation Rules book.
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Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required |
Not Required up to 39.4 ft |
Required |
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14. Sate and Local Requirements: These requirements must be meet before the "Vessel Safety Check" decal can be awarded. A boat must meet the requirements of the state in which it is being examined.
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Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
Required |
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15. Overall Boat Condition: a. Deck free of hazards and clean bilge: The boat must be free from fire hazards 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.
b. Electrical 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. If installed, self circling or kill switch mechanism must be in proper working order. All PWC's require an operating self circling or kill switch mechanism.
c. Fuel Systems: Portable fuel tanks are normally 7 gal. capacity or less, but may be any size that can be removed and fueled on the dock, 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.
d. Galley & Heating Systems: System and fuel tanks must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby.
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Required as applies to vessel being examined |
Required as applies to vessel being examined |
Required as applies to vessel being examined |
Required as applies to vessel being examined |
Required as applies to vessel being examined |
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Recommended Items:
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