Free Vessel Safety Check

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 Federal regulations. The PSPS Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and a member of the United States Power Squadrons. They will make certain recommendations and discuss safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

This is not a "boarding" or a law enforcement issue.  No citations are given as a result of this encounter, simply suggestions to improve your safe boating experience. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display the distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you will be prepared

to make any boarding a positive encounter.

The following will be covered when our Inspectors conduct your Free Vessel Safety Check 

utilizing the United States Power Squadrons VSC Pre-Check List:

• Required Boating and Safety Equipment
• Display of required numbers
• Registration and Documentation
• Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s)
• Visual Distress Signals (VDS or flares)
• Fire Extinguishers
• Ventilation
• Backfire Flame Control
• Sound Producing Devices
• Navigation Lights
• Pollution Placard (vessels of 26+ feet)
• Marpol Trash Placard (vessels of 26+ feet)
• Marine Sanitation Device (head)
• State Regulations
• Navigation Rules
• Overall Vessel Condition (Deck free of Hazzards, Electrical/Fuel Systems, Galley/Heating Systems

Prior to scheduling or attending a Vessel Safety Check, you can read about doing a self-exam to check your own boat. Simply Click Here.

Many insurance companies offer additional discounts as a result of passing a Vessel Safety Check.

The VSC Inspectors conducted over 150 inspections in 2009 and hope to reach that number and more to contribute to boating safety in our local waters.  PSPS has scheduled a number of Free Vessel Safety Check Events, review our VSC Calendar to the right.   Call any one of the following PSPS Examiners located in the Washington, NC area for an appointment or email: PSPS Vessel Safety.

   

Name	Telehone
Fred Schroeder Chocowinity NC	252-948-0682
Fred Kaplan Chocowinity NC	252-974-5486
Bob Hatala Washington NC	252-975-6807
Ed Mann Chocowinity NC	252-946-3623
Stan Ramsden Washington NC	252-974-2745
Cliff Heidel Washington NC	252-975-0972
Dave Bailey Chocowinity NC	252-946-9306
Jim Cope Chocowinity NC	252-948-0347
Don Dunlap Washington NC	252-974-7791
Bill Ramsden Chocowinity NC	252-946-6307
Dan Naugle, Greenville NC	(H) 252-355-8946 (W) 252-752-2111