Question: Rental paddle craft seem to fall outside both the RBS VSC arena and the UPV requirements. I have had kayak rental shops ask for VSCs for all of their vessels, but current programs don't seem to meet the needs of either the shop or the individual renting the vessel. Is there a plan to fill this inspection/education gap in the future? Is there any way to get the requested VSCs completed?

Answer: They are covered under the current VSC program. They are to be completed on the 7012A form, and recorded on the 7038 form. Also just as any rental boats, you can only award decals for the number of vessels that they have available safety gear required on the 7012A to cover them.

Question: Why is there no blower ventilation requirements on personal watercraft as required by inboard boats?

Answer: They have sealed systems and the PWC VSC information in our training instructions states specifically "NO FORCED VENTILATION REQUIRED".

Question: Where can i get a deviation table for a facility. It is a requirement in the facility inspection.

Answer: Being able to create a Deviation Table for their vessel, is something that all Coxswains have had in training during their initial coxswain qualification.

Deviation is a function of heading and is the error due to features and equipment mounted on your boat that distorts your magnetic field; for example, you may have a deviation of say 5 degrees when going north but a deviation of say -2 degrees when going east.

Before GPS, the Deviation Tables were created by running the boat between known landmarks or ATONS on the charts and then comparing the map's known compass reading to what your compass is displaying. With GPS it is much easier and faster as you run as an example, North using the GPS and then compare your Compass reading to get the Deviation for the Deviation Table.

Here is a link to the Prevention Department's PDF Deviation Table to use to create a table:

http://pdept.cgaux.org/Documents/Active/NS/USCG%20Forms/CG_2596.pdf

Question: The VSC certificates that are issued to examiners for 60 plus VE's, are they provided by the DIRAUX or from the National VE dept? Also when are they issued, monthly, bi, yearly?

Answer: They are issued by each member's DIRAUX Office. The member would have to take this up with their local VE chain.

Question: In my inspections I am beginning to come across new power boats and re-powered boats that have inboard multi-port or direct fuel injected gas engines. What are the rules for flame arresters for these types of engines. These engines are pretty well shrouded and if they are required to have a flame arrestor it is very difficult to locate.

Answer: All gasoline powered boats are required to have a backfire flame arrestor. VE's should try to check these boats for tight and clean arrestors but should not attempt to disassemble anything to do so.

All gasoline powered boats are required to have a backfire flame arrestor. VE's should try to check these boats for tight and clean arrestors but should not attempt to disassemble anything to do so.

The VE manual would indicate that if access to the backfire flame arrestor requires disassembly, the VE should not attempt to disassemble or require the owner/operator to disassemble, but advise the boater to clean the arrester on a regular basis with soap and water, or a commercial cleaner made for that purpose.

Question: I have a past US Power Squadrons member who has now joined the Auxiliary and wants to continue performing VSCs What are the protocols to allow this?

Answer:He or she would need to study the materials on our training page and take the VE exam at http://ntc.cgaux.org/ as it is not the same as the exam as the US Power Squadrons uses. Then perform the five VSCs under one of our certified VEs and then follow the requirement in your District to have him or her certified. The big difference is the Facilities Inspections requirements which you might want to point out.

Question: I am the VSE chair for my Squadron. What do I have to do to get 2 Examiners reinstated to "qualified" status?

Answer: In the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the VE must perform two VSCs under supervision a Certified VE to regain certification. The Certified VE receives credit for the two VEs for the recertification.

The National Safety Chair of the U.S. Power Squadrons confirmed that they follow the same rules.

Question: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco District, wants the below rules to apply to all boaters using Lake Mendocino, located in, Ukiah, California, to qualify to receive a VSC decal from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. I question their authority regarding this matter and ask for an opinion and direction from you.

All boats must have a type IV.
All boats must have a fire extinguisher.
All boats must have rope, backup propulsion device (paddle, wake board or ski).

Answer: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been involved in regulating certain activities in the nation´s waters since 1899. Until 1968, the primary interest of the Corps regulatory Program was navigation. As a result of several new laws and judicial decisions, the program evolved from one that focused on navigation to one that considers an array of public interest factors.

The bottom line is that the Corps of Engineers has jurisdiction over all waters of the United States and can add additional "local" requirements above the Federal Regulations. Item 14 on the 7012 is "State and/or Local Requirements" which must be followed to issue the VSC Decal. If the Local District sets a requirement, then you must follow that law.

Question: I have a person that has taken the VE course and test on line and passed, he has done 5-assisted VSC how does he get listed as a VE?

Answer: Once the successful exam passing and the 5 VEs are reported through the IS system, it may be automatic. Check with your local District as some require the Flotilla Commander send a letter to DIRAUX recommending that the member be certified as a VE and then DIRAUX makes final determination and the member is then certified.

Question: Is there a specific authorization for VE's to examine rental vessels and are there any additional requirements?

Answer: National V Department's Newsletter For Safety's Sake in Volume II - 2006.

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Rental Boat Vessel Safety Checks

Boat liveries offer a variety of vessels to examine and opportunities to promote the Recreational Boating Safety message. Of particular interest are the liveries offering small un-powered and powered boats, a category where there are a disproportionate number of accidents and fatalities. Having VSC decals on these boats furthers awareness of the Recreational Boating Safety program and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

VSCs on rowboats, canoes, kayaks and small sailboats are not demanding. Typically only life jackets, anchors, and whistles are supplied for boats under 16 feet. Where boats are rented for daytime use only, lights are not usually required, although a flashlight is recommended gear for every boater. Powered boats usually require registration and numbering. As life jackets are not usually kept on the rental boats, but issued from storage at rental, examiners must assure that the life jackets are in acceptable condition, in sufficient quantity for the number of boats, and with a mix of sizes. Apprise the owner of the Boat U.S. Foundation's life jacket loaner program that makes children's life jackets available for the day or weekend to families who have a temporary need for one. Over 350 waterfront businesses are participating in this important program. See www.boatus.com/foundation/LJLP/.

Time can be saved and the VSCs expedited by visiting the livery before conducting the VSCs and obtaining the information for Form 7012. Filling in the required information at your desk at home saves a lot of time. Then only the checklist need be filled in at the dock.

Be sure that the rental boats meet Federal, State and Local requirements before awarding the decal.
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Then in Volume IV - 2006 the following follow-up was published:

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Rental Boat VSC

The previous issue of For Safety’s Sake included an article on the value of doing Vessel Safety Check on Rental Boats. One of the key points of this encounter is to educate the owner/manager of the rental establishment. Beyond ensuring that their vessel's safety equipment is up to standards, it is a good time to discuss with them how and why they should be educating their customers on the use of the safety equipment, and safe boating best practices before they hand over the keys. The vast majority of these vessels fall into the "high focus" area that we want to concentrate, and would be the renters who are most likely unfamiliar with the area and are novice boaters. Please remember that education is the operative word when it comes to prevention!
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Note from Paul Mayer, DVC-V: As being in on the ground floor of the new program at the time, it is important that you only award decals for the number of boats with sufficient items to pass the VSC. If they have 10 boats but PFDs for 5, only 5 would be awarded the decal.