Mar 25 2009
Annual USCG Safety Inspection Time
Every Spring we have an Inspector from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary come to our fleet and perform a safety inspection. We don’t have to do this. But I think it is a very prudent thing to do – and it’s free! The Inspector checks that flares are not out of date, all the running lights work, the boat has a working sound device (air horn), an adequate supply of PFD’s on board, fire extinguishers are still good and that the boat is registered properly for the current year.
This procedure kills a couple birds with one stone for us. Primarily, it gives us a platform to perform this check as part of our annual Spring Maintenance. Secondly, it prepares the boat for any USCG or Harbor Patrol boarding that the boat might encounter while under the command of one of our Members. Sometimes, just the sticker is enough to shoo away the boarders. But at least I know we will pass a boarding test with flying colors as we actually stock our boats with more safety gear than what is required.
Interestingly, I understand that less than 10% of registered boats go through this free procedure with the USCG every year. It never ceases to amaze me how people will try to cut corners when it comes to their own personal safety. Next week, a rigger comes to the fleet and inspects the standing rigging for us. More than a boarding, I just hate it when the mast falls down on a sailboat !#$%^
[...] Every Spring we have an Inspector from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary come to our fleet and perform a safety inspection. We don’t have to do this. But I think it is a very prudent thing to do – and it’s free! The Inspector checks that flares are not out of date, all the running [...] Direct Link [...]