Vessel Examiner

We Need You!

If saving lives gets your adrenaline going... if you'd like to use your boating expertise for a great cause... if you want to help both the United States Coast Guard and the United States Power Squadrons fulfill their missions... then this is the program for you!

The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) program represents a unique alliance between the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons. By providing free Vessel Safety Checks for recreational boats, Auxiliary and P Power Squadron members identify potential safety problems... prevent boating accidents... allow the Coast Guard and state marine law enforcement personnel more opportunity for the protection of our nation's waterways... and save lives.

Your help is needed

There are approximately 13 million registered recreational boats in the United States, and less than 1% are checked each year. Most boaters are eager to have their vessels checked, but there are far too few Vessel Examiners to meet the potential demand. That's where you come in. You have the knowledge and experience. Once you're trained and complete your initial requirements, all you need to do is perform a minimum of five Vessel Safety Checks per year to maintain your currency and make a real difference in boating safety.

During the Vessel Safety Check, the vessel examiner has an opportunity to discuss with a fellow boater the purpose of the marine safety equipment, to clarify various federal, state and local regulations, to review local boating conditions, to answer any boating-related safety questions and to encourage additional boater education.

If you have any questions about the Vessel Safety Check program or about becoming an examiner, please e-mail our Executive Officer. You may also register for or request more information about a class on-line.

The Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Become A Vessel Examiner

10 Less than 1 % of the 13 million registered recreational boats receives a VSC each year.

9 More Vessel Examiners equals more Vessel Safety Checks equals safer boating.

8 VSCs help keep potentially unsafe boats off the water, and allow the Coast Guard and states to devote more resources to the protection of our nation's waterways.

7 You have spent a lot of time becoming very knowledgeable about boating and boating safety - you might as well put that expertise to good use.

6 The Vessel Safety Check program is one of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's and United States Power Squadrons' best ways to educate boaters and involve new members.

5 Maintaining your currency as a Vessel Examiner requires you to complete a minimum of only five (5) Vessel Safety Checks per year - probably less than three (3) hours of volunteer service.

4 In most geographical areas, Vessel Safety Checks can be done year-round.

3 Staying current on VSC requirements helps you stay on top of your own knowledge of boating and boating safety.

2 Most boaters welcome and appreciate VesselSafety Checks.

1 VSCs work! You might just save someone's life. 

How To Become a Qualified Vessel Examiner

Power Squadron or Auxiliary members wishing to become a Vessel Examiner must:

1 Pass the Boating Skills and Seamanship Course or equivalent.

2 Become familiar with the contents of the Vessel Safety Check Manual.

3 Take and pass the current Vessel Examiner qualification examination covering the material in the Vessel Examiner Qualification Course and the Vessel Examiner Manual.

4 Satisfactorily conduct five Vessel Safety Checks under the observation of a qualified Vessel Examiner.

To maintain this qualification, Vessel Examiners must do a minimum of five Vessel Safety Checks each year and attend a Vessel Examiner workshop when required.