Transcript united states coast guard auxiliary

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
AUXILIARY
2013 NATIONAL
VESSEL EXAMINER WORKSHOP
VSC Best Practices
MODULE 2
Prepared by the
NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF VESSEL EXAMINATION
AND RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY PROGRAM
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VISITATION
Workshop Objectives
 This module is designed to introduce Vessel
Examiners to some commonly experienced
problems encountered during Vessel Safety
Checks.
 It is also intended as a refresher to
experienced Vessel Examiners and to educate
new Vessel Examiners.
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Best Practices
FC/VFC/FSO-VE Notification:
 Before going out to do a VSC be sure to let
your FC, VFC, or FSO-VE know in
writing.
 This is important to satisfy the “assignment
to duty” requirement in the event of an
accident, injury, or damage.
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Best Practices
Uniforms:
 Although not required, the Vessel
Examiner should make every attempt
to wear a proper uniform and an
approved life jacket when conducting a
VSC.
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Best Practices
Uniforms:
 Check what uniform is approved in
your area.
 Don’t refuse to conduct a VSC if you
are asked and in civilian attire.
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Best Practices
VSC Courtesy:
 As a courtesy to the vessel owner, ask
permission to come aboard; say:
“Permission to come aboard?”.
 Be cautious that nothing you are
carrying or wearing can cause damage
to the vessel you are inspecting.
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Best Practices
VSC Courtesy:
 If you make an appointment to examine
a vessel, be on time.
 If you cannot keep the appointment,
call the owner and explain why.
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Best Practices
Pre-examination: Working with the boat owner
in advance provides:
 More exposure to the boater,
 More opportunity to discuss boating safety,
 More opportunity to solicit interest in the
Auxiliary.
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Best Practices
 For more information, encourage the boat
owner to visit:
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT
 http://usps.org/national/vsc
 The bottom line is to do what it takes to
create safe boats and safe boaters.
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Best Practices
Supervised Vessel Safety Checks:
 Any VE performing supervised vessel safety
checks (VSC), whether in conjunction with
Initial Qualification or Requalification, must
perform the supervised VSC on power
vessels only, no paddle crafts.
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Best Practices
Supervised Vessel Safety Checks:
 Documented on Form 7012 and NOT Form
7012A (Paddle Craft VSC).
 Reported on ANSC 7038 per policy.
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Best Practices
Supervised Vessel Safety Checks:
 Once member is certified, paddle craft VSCs
may be performed.
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One Decal at a Time
Awarding the VSC decal:
 Only current year VSC decal should be
displayed.
 Old decals should be removed; however,
VE/Owner may place new decal directly
over old VSC decal.
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One Decal at a Time
Awarding the VSC decal:
 VSC Decal must be affixed:
• Immediately after inspection by the
VE, or
• By the operator in the presence of the
VE.
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One Decal at a Time
Awarding the VSC decal:
 The decal shall be:
• Affixed in a location not to interfere with
or obscure the operator’s view.
• Be readily visible to authorities while
underway.
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VSC Decal Placement
Affix the decal:
 On the lower forward corner of a portside
window, or
 A lower corner on the portside of the
windshield.
 If no window is available, to the dashboard
or the back of a seat.
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VSC Decal Placement
Decals should only be affixed:
 To permanently installed equipment.
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Registration Numbers
Registration Numbers MUST be:
 Painted, or
 PERMANENTLY attached to each side of
the forward half of the vessel,
 Of a color contrasting with the background
color.
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Registration Numbers
Registration numbers are:
 Issued by the state.
 Consist of two letters identifying the state of
principal use (prefix).
 Followed by a combination of number(s).
 Ending with one or more letters (suffix).
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Registration Numbers
NJ 1234 AB
or
NH-5678-AB
NOTE: Spaces or hyphens between letter
and number groupings must be equal to
the width of a letter other than “I” or a
number other than “1”
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Registration Numbers
Registration Number must be:
 Plain block characters,
 Not less than three inches in height,
 In a color contrasting with the background.
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Registration Numbers
State validation sticker must be:
 Affixed in accordance with state
requirements,
 Within six inches of the registration
number.
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Registration Numbers
State validation stickers:
 Applies to all registered vessels.
 There are NO exceptions for smaller craft
or personal water craft.
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Documented Vessel Reminder
Every documented vessel must have:
 An official number.
 Marked by any “PERMANENT
METHOD”.
 Cannot be obliterated or obscured.
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Documented Vessel Reminder
 Must have the official number permanently
affixed in block type Arabic numerals
preceded with the letters “NO.”,
 Not less than 3 inches in height,
 On some clearly visible interior integral
“STRUCTURAL” part of the vessel.
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Documented Vessel Reminder
Numbers must be:
 Permanently etched in wood vessels, or
 In fiberglass epoxied on the hull….
 Not in a cabinet on the bridge or interior.
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Documented Vessel Reminder
A documented vessel hull display must:
 Have the Name and hailing port of the
vessel together in one place on the hull
(usually on the stern).
 Be in letters not less than 4 inches in height.
 Be clearly readable.
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Life Jackets (PFDs)
 Regardless of the number required,
examine all life jackets on board.
 An acceptable life jacket must be
“readily accessible” and of suitable size
for each person on board.
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Life Jackets (PFDs)
The life jacket label is the best reference
to determine if it is the appropriate size,
type, and whether it must be worn to
count.
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Life Jackets (PFDs)
 USCG approved inflatable devices:
• Authorized for use by persons 16 years
of age or older.
• Require regular maintenance.
• Must have a full cylinder and all status
indicators green.
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Life Jackets (PFDs) for Children
 Children under 13 years of age must:
• Wear a CG approved life jacket,
• Of the proper size, and
• In serviceable condition
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Life Jackets (PFDs) for Children
 Children under 13 years of age must wear a life
jacket on a vessel when:
• Underway (not at anchor, not made fast to the shore, or
aground)
• Unless they are below decks or in an enclosed cabin.
• If a state has established requirements that differ from
the Coast Guard requirements, the state requirements
will be applicable on waters subject to the state’s
jurisdiction.
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Ventilation Systems
 It is not sufficient to have an owner/operator
turn on the blower and hear the motor run.
 Check air flow at ducts.
 Use your hand to sense the air.
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Ventilation Systems
 Each exhaust opening or duct must originate
in the lower third of the compartment and
above the normal accumulation of bilge water.
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Fire Extinguishers
 To be U S Coast Guard approved, a fire
extinguisher is only required to have a
bracket when it is originally sold.
 A fire extinguisher does not have to be
mounted to meet federal minimum legal
requirements or receive a VSC decal, unless
there is a state requirement to the contrary.
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Fire Extinguishers
 Contrary to prior guidance, there is never an
occasion where it is permissible to shake or
smack a fire extinguish. This could lead to
compaction of material in the discharge tube.
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VDS Requirements
 When considering VDS requirements, the
applicable term is “coastal waters.
 Coastal waters include:
• The Great Lakes (excluding Lake St. Clair),
• The territorial seas,
• And those waters connected directly, up to
the first point where a body of water is less
than two miles wide.
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VDS Requirements
 Visual Distress Signals (VDS) are
specifically defined in the Code of Federal
Regulations and include only USCG
approved devices limited to:
• pyrotechnics
• approved orange flag (day signal only)
• approved electric distress light flashing
SOS (night signal only)
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VDS Requirements
 All VDS need an approval number
displayed and the pyrotechnics must not be
beyond the listed expiration date.
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Disposal of Expired Flares
 Flares and other pyrotechnic devices need
to be disposed of properly.
 Properly is defined by the community in
which you live.
 Owners/users of these devices should
contact their local sanitation, fire or refuse
collection departments.
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MARPOL Trash Placards
 The International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Annex V)
(MARPOL) deals with prevention of pollution
by garbage from ships.
 Amendments to Annex V will go into effect on
January 1, 2013 and will include a change to
the placard requirements for domestic vessels.
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MARPOL Trash Placards
 Until new placards are available, Examiners
are instructed to consider Item #11 on Form
7012 as “N/A” for all vessels during calendar
year 2013, or until otherwise directed.
 Examiners should take the opportunity to
educate boaters that new requirements are
being developed and they will need to comply
when available.
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Marine Sanitation Device
 All recreational vessels with installed toilet
facilities must have an operable marine
sanitation device (MSD).
 Any capability for overboard discharge must
be disabled or secured.
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Marine Sanitation Device
Acceptable methods to disable/secure
overboard discharge include:
 Padlocking overboard discharge valves in
the closed position,
 Closing overboard discharge valves and
removing handle,
 Locking door to space enclosing the toilet.
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Marine Batteries
 Federal Rules only require the positive
battery terminal be covered. However, some
states may require both terminals be covered.
 Plastic battery boxes or other covers to
protect the battery are recommended but not
required.
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Marine Batteries
 Battery cables should be securely connected.
 Batteries should be clamped down or
otherwise secured so as to prevent
movement.
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Marine Batteries
 Batteries should not be serviced or
tampered with by Vessel Examiners.
 No installing terminal covers !!
 Batteries explode occasionally when
handled. Do not attempt to handle.
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VHF Radio with DSC
 If a VHF radio with Digital Selective Calling
(DSC) capability is properly registered with a
Marine Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) and
interfaced with a GPS, it has the ability to
transmit vessel position and identity digitally.
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VHF Radio Reminder
 Channel 16 is the Calling and Distress
channel used to initiate all calls (except
distress calls on a DSC capable radio).
 Once contact is made on Channel 16, switch
to another channel (working channel) to
continue, except in an emergency situation .
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VHF Radio Reminder
 Channel 9 is an alternate calling channel.
 Think through your response before
speaking, speak in a slow and distinct
manner.
 Do not use your radio when the boat is on
land.
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Cell Phone Use
 Some boaters rely solely on cell phones as a
primary source of communication.
 This is not without drawbacks.
 You reach limited people.
 Range is short.
 VHF reaches all in your vicinity.
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Cell Phone Use
 When 9-1-1 is called on a cell phone, it goes to
the Police and they have no way to locate you
on the water.
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Electronic Shock Drowning (ESD)
 Electric Shock Drowning results from the
passage of a typically low level AC current
through the body, while immersed in fresh
water, with sufficient force to cause skeletal
muscular paralysis, rendering the victim
unable to help him/herself and potentially
resulting in drowning.
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Electronic Shock Drowning (ESD)
 While freshwater is not a good electrical
conductor, the human body’s high salinity
makes it a much better conductor and AC
current uses the body as a return path to its
source.
 Saltwater is more conductive than the human
body, which explains why electric shock
deaths have not occurred in saltwater.
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Electronic Shock Drowning (ESD)
 Preventing ESD:
• Educate the public on the dangers of going in the
water at a marina.
• Have a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI)
device installed on boats that would automatically
interrupt the flow of electricity in the case of a
fault.
• Have GFCI breakers installed on each of the
marina’s shore power distribution points.
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Discussion
What other issues have you encountered?
How did you handle the problem?
What was the solution?
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V Directorate Website
http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT
 I Want a VSC: Visitors can enter their ZIP Code and find a volunteer
examiner to give them a VSC.
 Virtual Safety Check: Use this page to check your own boat to see if you
are ready.
 Job Aid Kits: Training tools and aids to becoming a great VE or PV.
 News from the DIR-V: Statements of policy or procedure provided by
members of the Chief Director’s Office, National Elected Officers, or
Department Chiefs.
 AUX V-Directorate Staff : Gives you the most current information on V
Dept Staff .
 Q & A: Displays questions received from our visitors along with answers
provided.
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2013 V-Directorate Staff Officers
Director (DIR-V)
Deputy Director (DIR-Vd)
Division Chief – Vessel Exams (DVC-VE)
Division Chief – Visitation Programs (DVC-VP)
Division Chief – Technical Support (DVC-VT)
Division Chief – Incentive Programs (DVC-VI)
Division Chief – Communications (DVC-VC)
Kelly L. Townsend
Michael S. Klacik
Perry R. Taylor
Vincent Cerverizzo
John Yskamp
Keith Knotek
Paul J. Mayer Jr.
We Save Lives !!!
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