GL: Avoid Unnessary Boardings

[John & Judy Gill]

This posting is about how to avoid unnessary boardings by the Coast
Guard, State Marine Police and.or Local Authorities.

Get a FREE United States Coast Guare VESSEL SAFETY CHECK on your boat
every Spring.

U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Safety Checks are performed by Certified VSC
Examiners of the United States Power Squadrons and the United States
Coast Guard Auxiliary (and some state police units).

Each vessel is checked for all the USCG required gear and safety
items.  A special decal is issued and is to be adhered to the Port
Side of the vessel.  It tells ALL law enforcement agencies that the
vessel has submitted to a voluntary examination and is in complience
with all VSC requirements.  USCG, State and Local officials have
pledged to not conduct "random" checks on vessels displaying a
current VSC decal!

The VSC exams are FREE and usually take a half hour or more.  There
are no penalities if the vessel fails and normally the examiner will
return to pass the vessel, if the owner makes the necessary
corrections, within a day or two.  This is of course far better (less
costly) than receiving a citation and/or fine from a law enforcement
agency!

To obtain a Vessel Safety Check, simply log onto the following web
site and enter the zip code where your vessel is located -  then
request a VSC examination from the nearest Certified Examiner:
<http://safetyseal.net/GetVSC/>,

Make the on-line request today!

John R,. Gill
Two Js V
An AGLCA Looper
Certified USPS VSC Examiner