VSC (Vessel Safety Check) stickers for 2009

A

Alyssa Jean

New member
The new VSC stickers (blue this year) have been dispersed to safety examiners. For information on VSCs click HERE.

There are several buttons on the above page. "A Virtual VSC", and "I Want a VSC are two of them". With the "I Want a VSC" you can type in your Zip Code and find examiners within a pre-selected mileage range and bring up an email form to request a VSC.

Displaying the sticker on your vessel indicates to any USCG vessel that you have fulfilled the requirements of safe boating.
 
U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY - VESSEL SAFETY CHECK STICKERS . . . I've got mine! We, on Lake St. Clair in Michigan, are ready for vessel examinations and helping boaters be as safe as they can be!!!
The Anna Leigh skipper shared where someone might go to arrange a vessel exam...so I won't repeat that. But for any who are interested....do you know that the most common reason, in my experience of doing vessel safety checks, why someone does not receive a sticker? -> The owner doesn't have the boat's registration with her/him!!! That may seem to be a minor thing ~ but if something happens on the water or if a law-enforcement officer is in contact with you on the water, how do they know who owns the boat. By the way, the second most common reason for not issuing a VSC sticker (in my expereince) . . . flares that are beyond their expiration date (they can still be used, but the required number of non- expired flares are needed). By the way (since most boat-related deaths are from drowning), can everyone on your boat get to a right-sized life jacket.
The water is "stiff" here.....but we're getting ready (in the USCGAUX) for a safe boating season!!
therevdr (USCGAUX Division 091-12 Commander) on Driftwood Drei
 
therevdr":3db546wo said:
By the way, the second most common reason for not issuing a VSC sticker (in my expereince) . . . flares that are beyond their expiration date (they can still be used, but the required number of non- expired flares are needed). therevdr (USCGAUX Division 091-12 Commander) on Driftwood Drei
Click to expand...
In the past, I have tried to comply with all requirements, but unless something changes, no more. No one in our town carries flares. Some of those who used to had to throw them away when they exceeded their expiration - their loss. So I had to special order some last year and had to pay about $30 for three of them. Even at that, the store I ordered them from lost money because of the exhorbitant hazardous materials shipping fees. And if I order them directly through WM or the like, I have to pay the hazardous materials shipping fees. Furthermore, if I were ever in dire straits on our home waters and shot off a flare, no one who saw it would know what the heck was going on. They'd think I was celebrating catching a big walleye. This is one case where one size does not fit all.
Al
 
Al, can't you get them from a commercial shipping chandlery in Duluth? I know there is a lot of big boat traffic on the great lakes that would need to carry USCG equipment.

Warren
 
MINNESOTA BOATING REGULATIONS state that the only place where flares would be needed in the state is on Lake Superior; the other lakes in Minnesota would be inland waters where federal regulations would not require flares. I quote the MINNESOTA BOATING GUIDE FOR 2009 describing Visual Distress Signals: "Lake Superior is the only place in Minnesota where federal law requires the proper number and type of visual distress signals (VDS) to be carried on board boats:...".
From what I know (while taking the chance that I am venturing out on a limb), local regulations in boating and vessel examinations rules from what I read in federal regulations and the Minnesota boating publication state the pyrotechnics (flares) are not a requirement; then again, since boating on Lake Superior is an option for those boating in Minnesota, maybe flares are listed as a requirement?!?!
I guess that answers any questions????
therevdr on Driftwood Drei
 
Warren & Rev, you both make good points. I would certainly keep my eyes open for flares on my travels. And I'll research the MN boating regs. also; I always thought they were a requirement. It's just a shame, for such a simple requirement, that they are so difficult to obtain locally.
Al
 
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