The Vessel
Safety Check Program is an effective, proactive
preventative safety program unique to the recreational
boating community. It insures that key marine safety
equipment is present, is within prescribed functional
limits, and is compliant with Federal, State, and local
regulations. It provides the examiner an opportunity to
discuss with the recreational boater, the purpose of the
marine safety equipment, to clarify various Federal,
State, and local regulations, to emphasize specific
safety procedures and practices, to answer any boating
related questions and to encourage additional boater
education. For many years, the US Coast Guard and
the USCG Auxiliary have provided complimentary Courtesy
Marine Examinations (CME's) for boaters nationwide. In
an effort to modernize and expand the CME program, the
Coast Guard set a goal of examining 1.3 million vessels
annually by the year 2002. This will require 32,500
trained examiners doing an average of 40 vessels a year.
To meet that challenge requires recruiting, training,
and certifying a large cadre of volunteer examiners to
conduct the new USCG Vessel Safety Checks. The USPS is
the oldest and largest non-profit boating education
organization. With 60,000+ members, dedicated to boating
safety and education, the USPS was a logical choice in
expanding the program. Hundreds of USPS members are
already certified to perform Vessel Safety Checks and
more are currently being trained. The USPS has been
accepted as a full partner with the USCG and USCG
Auxiliary. Other partners will be named in the future.
As the USPS 13th squadron in Staten Island, NY, the
Staten Island Power Squadron, Inc. (SIPS) is
enthusiastically embracing the program. Vessel Safety
Checks conducted by USPS members are as thorough and as
valid as the former Courtesy Marine Examinations
conducted by the USCG and USCG Auxiliary.
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