Eighth District Coastal Region, Division 1 Flotilla 1-9 Panama City Beach, Florida

   Vessel Exams     

The purpose of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC) Program, is to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventive means, in order to maximize safe use and enjoyment of U.S. waterways by the public.

Vessel Safety Checks are generally performed on recreational boats under 65 feet. Vessel Safety Check requirements parallel federal and individual state regulations regarding equipment and safety equipment of the vessel. The Vessel Safety Check is not a law enforcement action. No official report is made to any law enforcement authority. It does, however, raise the boaters awareness of safety issues through the one-on-one contact by the Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer examiner.

Law enforcement may still want to verify the presence and condition of safety equipment on your vessel. However, if a Vessel Safety Decal is awarded, it is done so because you have met all federal and state boating requirements and you will feel comfortable with law enforcement officers checking your vessel.

All in all, the Vessel Safety Check is intended to serve as a "prevention through education, outreach and volunteer compliance" activity and to help recreational boaters gain a respect for the boating environment as a result of the Vessel Safety Check encounter.