Vessel safety checks
Dale and Nancy Anderson (E-149) are members of the St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron. This is a non-profit, non-governmental volunteer organization that promotes safe boating through education. Their squadron is offering free vessel safety checks to our marina members. This is an optional service that MPYH members can take advantage of.
A Vessel Safety Check can identify SAFETY and money saving opportunities:
- By preventing citations by meeting federal and state and local safety equipment requirements.
- By identifying educational and equipment-related possible boating insurance discounts.
- By increasing awareness of safety practices to avoid accidents and costly breakdowns.
A Vessel Safety Check can reduce accidents and injuries by educating the boater as to the value and use of marine safety equipment, and other safe practices on the water.
The mission of the Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety program is to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage and negative environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventive means. The VSC program supports one of the program’s key goals: To improve the demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors of boaters.
The VSC program helps to achieve voluntary compliance with federal, state and local recreational boating safety laws, particularly regarding the carriage of safety equipment. It also heightens the boaters’ awareness of safety issues through one-on-one contact by volunteer vessel examiners. It is a free check of a vessel’s equipment for compliance with federal, state and local safety requirements. Personal watercraft is included.
Some of the items we check are:
- Proper display of numbers
- Registration/documentation
- Personal Flotation Devices
- Fire extinguishers
- Ventilation
- Visual distress signals
- Backfire flame control
- Sound producing devices
- Navigation lights
- State & local requirements
- Overall vessel condition
During the Vessel Safety Check, the vessel examiner has an opportunity to discuss with fellow boaters the purpose of the marine safety equipment, clarify various federal, state and local regulations, review local boating conditions, answer any boating-related safety questions and encourage additional boater education.
The St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron will be doing VSC checks at MPYH on Saturday, May 18th from 9am to 1pm. Call Nancy Anderson @ 651-433-3247 or stop by at the table at the E dock parking lot. Refreshments will be provided!
Dale and Nancy Anderson
Slip #149
Send an email to Nancy and Dale