coast gaurd inspection

[fishingman220]

does anyone know how to get the volenteer inspection from the coast guard? everyone has told me it just looks better and you get checked and boarded alot less. i am located in richmond va.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

http://www.cgaux.org/vsc/

 

[fishingman220]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

thank you very much

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

good info right here, and link to set appointment. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=300472

 

[skargo]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Wearing your PFD, along with having the courtesy inspection sticker helps keep the boarding to a minimum, I was told.

I am amazed while we are out on the bay by the lack of people wearing PFDs. My wife and I always wear our automatic inflatables when under way, yet 90% of the boats that we pass by have operators and passengers NOT wearing them.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Here in Ontario they set up at different marina's each weekend. They will check your boat out on the trailer, in the water or at your dock if you request it. They issue a compliance sticker for the windshield if all is well. You get a lot less attention from the authorities while out on the water when you have it displayed.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

You can also pick up a few good tips during a CG Aux inspection. I had one of the examiners tell me about using a blank CD or DVD as a signalling device. I now keep a couple in a plastic bag, along with my flares, etc.

I also agree with skargo on the matter of PFDs. I wear mine all of the time and it has survival items in the pockets. If I end up with marine LEO along side my boat for an inspection, they are usally ready to leave by the time I open the second one, to show them the whistle, mirror, signal light, etc., contained within it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

I like the CD thing. Going to add a couple to our emergency kit.

 

[lowkee]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

If I end up with marine LEO along side my boat for an inspection, they are usally ready to leave by the time I open the second one

Haha! That makes me want to get this enormous stash of dollar store survival and safety items and make them sit there while I tell a story about each one.

 

[skargo]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Haha! That makes me want to get this enormous stash of dollar store survival and safety items and make them sit there while I tell a story about each one.

HAHAHA

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Haha! That makes me want to get this enormous stash of dollar store survival and safety items and make them sit there while I tell a story about each one.

I guess that was supposed to be a sarcastic answer. That's OK. You do what you want to do. I'll equip myself with a few items that I know to be effective in gaining someone's attention.

Why would I do this? Gee, I don't know - maybe it has something to do with having spent a few years flying search and rescue missions. Maybe it has something to do with knowing how hard it is to find someone in the water. Maybe its in knowing that a flash of sunlight or a signal light, can make all of the difference in the world in being able to spot someone. Maybe its in knowing that people are sighted via such flashes in the peripheral vision, so you don't have to be looking right at the person when you "spot" them. Maybe its in knowing that a loud whistle can be heard for significant distances by surface vessels who are looking for someone.

Maybe its also because I know that marine law enforcement officers tend to involve themselves in SARs frequently, and understand the value of "a few dollar store items."

 

[lowkee]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Jay, maybe you are ashamed of your preparedness and feel a need to defend it. That post was a fun thought which your post made me think of (unless of course your emergency whistle is gold plated and costs thousands of dollars ).

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Ashamed? Nope, but I'll take you at your word and we'll consider it a fun statement.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

Having every conceivable kind of survival equipment on board almost assures you won't need any of it. It's Murphy's Law in reverse.

I'm the same way Jay. It's good piece of mind for those that know how to use it.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

I'm with the "if you have it and don't need it then that's all the better" group.
The CD thing is a great idea that I never even thought of till I saw it posted. Ever been driving a good distance behind someone that has a CD dangling from the rear view mirror on a sunny day ??? It is really annoying as the CD reflects right in your eyes on a regular basis. So annoying that I would be happy for someone to see it on the water if I was in need of help.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

The other cool thing about the CDs is that they have a sight hole built in. You can use it to target the rescue craft and then flip it back and forth to create sun flashes.

 

[642mx]

Re: coast gaurd inspection

They had Coast Guard Aux inspections at the ramp a few weeks ago. I drove right around it. I'm legal and you'll get harrassed with or without a decal around here.

As far as PFD's.... only if I'm going to ski.