We can only answer questions relating to federal requirements for recreational boats.
Requirements that are state or local are best answered by the state or local agency, since we have no comprehensive,
up-to-date database on those requirements and regulations. We cannot answer questions about requirements for commercial
vessels and Uninspected Passenger Vesselss as they are not under our program for recreational boats.
Do not ask a question if it is already in our database. First search our database to see if we have already received and
responded to a similar question from another member. To search the
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Click Here and search with the key words that may be found in your question.
To ask a question not found in our database, Click
Here and if it is germane to the subject as listed above, and we can come up with an answer,
it will be posted.
Fire Extinguisher Bracket,
posted: 1/4/2009
Question: I'm preparing to give a class to my flotilla. I'm using a KIDDE fire extinguisher as a training aid. I read the USCG approval on the label and it said in regard to the approval. "Valid only with bracket P/N 896698" There is no mention in the VSC Manual as far a mandatory requirement for mounting--its only a recommendation. Is this a disconnect. It seems, from reading the lable on the extinguisher, that the bracket must be used for the fire extinguisher to comply with the CG fire extinguisher requirements. This is not a problem in PA, where I live, state law requires mounting, but it does seem like a disconnect between the VSC Manual and the requirement stated on the extinguisher
Answer: The requirement for a bracket is a manufacturers requirement only. The manufacturer must supply an appoved bracket with the fire extinguisher to meet U S Coast Guard requirements. There is no federal requirement for the owner of the boat to mount a fire extinguisher. As you have noted, there are states that require fire extinguishers be mounted. It is imperative that our VE's know the state requirements for the states they perform VSC's in.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
+++
Fire Extinguisher Labeling,
posted: 6/30/2008
Question: During a recent visit to the local West Marine store it was noted that there was not a single fire extinguisher with the A-B-C marking or rating. The only ones they had were marked Gas/ Electrical.... No letter markings on them.
Don't they use A-B-C anymore? Are extinguishers considered acceptable for VSC purposes if they indicate the type of fire on which they are designed to use (Liquid) and have a legible USCG approval number?
Answer: Some fire extinguishers may have word descriptions instead of letters to indicate what type of fires they are designed to fight. What we look for to determine if a fire extinguisher meets the requiements for carriage on boats is the U S Coast Guard approval on the label. If a fire extinguisher has that approval it meets the requirements.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
+++
Registration Number Spacing,
posted: 6/21/2008
Question: Hi! We are having quite a discussion, in our flotilla, about boat registration number spacing? We all know how the numbers should be spaced but a majority of our inspectors will, if the boat meets all the other requirerments, they will give the boat a pass and put our sticker on the boat, even though the numbers are not spaced correcly. It also seems that the Coast Guard is lax as far as the number spacing goes. It seems in Maine that 95% of the boats do not display the numbers correctly. So we are in a delema> do we promote safe boating and give a warning on the numbers and give them a sticker or do we piss of the boating public and not give them a sticker if the numbers are wrong? We are not inforcers of the law and are in a catch 22 situation. What should we do? Thanks, Richard Robichaud.
Answer: This type of question comes up fairly often on this website and I always answer them in a simular manner. ALL boats MUST meet ALL of the VSC requirements in order to receive a decal. Vessel Examiners are not authorized to give a vessel a "pass" on one or more of the requirements. If a boater is given a "pass" and then receives a violation from a marine law enforcement officer our VSC program looses cedibility with the boater and the law enforcement agencies. If we let this continue the VSC program will be destroyed from within. We MUST apply the requirements of the VSC program fairly and consistantly nationwide to ensure the respect and credibility of the VSC program. So you see, there is no dilema, no catch 22, and we are not enforcing the law. We are upholding the high standards of the VSC program.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
+++
New Foam Fire Extinguishers,
posted: 6/20/2008
Question: I read some place that there is a new portable FOAM extinguisher that may be used on boats in place of the BC dry chemical extinguisher. I can't find referent to it any place on the web. Can you provide info on this?
Answer: If and when new foam type fire extinguishers become eligible for legal carriage on boats they will be approved by the U S Coast Guard and the fire extinguisher labels will indicate that approval.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
+++
Boater Licensing/Mandatory Education,
posted: 6/15/2008
Question: I have been a Vessel Examiner for one year.I was present at a VSC Day along with another Vessel Examiner, who was instructing three trainees. They were told that the first question to ask is if the owner has completed a Boating Safety Course, and if not, the decal cannot be awarded, but to proceed with the exam anyway. If the owner has completed a course, but the certificate is not on board, the decal cannot be awarded until they produce the certificate.
Additi\oally, in Maryland where I live, all persons born after 7/1/1972 need to have completed an operators course. The trainees were told to ask to see the operators permit, and if they don't have one, they are not permitted to issue a decal.
I checked the VSC Manual, page 26, item 14 I believe indicates that we are only concerned with equipment related to vessel safety or items on the VSC check list.
I would like sonme guidance about whether or not we are ever permitted to "vet" the owner, and ask for state permitrs or Boating afety class information.
Thank you.
Answer: Our program is called the Vessel Safety Check program. We DO NOT withhold decals if a boater does not have a state or local required license/permit or does not have documentation of mandatory education. If a vessel meets all of the requirements on the VSC form it is awarded a decal. Vessel Examiners are not authorized to go beyond what is required for the VSC in determining when to withhold decals.
George R Bores, BC-VTR
+++
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