Vessel Safety Check
Certified Vessel Examiners of the Norwalk Sail & Power Squadron will perform a free Vessel Safety Check on your boat to make sure it meets the federal, state, and local requirements.
All boaters should have an annual VSC performed on their vessels to ensure that current requirements are met and all equipment is up to date and in good operating condition.
contact our VSC Chair, Dave Martin, JN (david at soludecoffee dot com)
or visit the United States Power Squadrons® website page.
Here's what's needed to pass a Vessel Safety Check in CT
Current Registration/Documentation Papers
- Registered boat: state-issued numbers and current decal permanently affixed to forward half of vessel
- Documented boat: current state decal permanently affixed to forward half of vessel & documentation numbers permanently affixed to interior
CT Safe Boating Certificate (CT requirement)
PFDs
- One USCG-approved life jacket appropriately sized for each person on board plus one throwable
Visual Distress Signals (flares)
- Minimum of 3 unexpired day/night flares
Fire Extinguishers
- Less than 26 ft — 1 BI
- 26
ft to 40 ft — 2 BI or 1 BII
- 40 ft to 65 ft — 3 BI or 1 BII & 1 BI
Gas Powered Inboard/IO Vessels only
- Blower & ducts
- Backfire flame control
Sound-Producing Device
- Horn
Navigation Lights & Anchor Light
- Red/green lights forward
- White light visible 360° (combo or all-around)
- 360° all-around anchor light
*Pollution Placard 26 ft +
*Marpol Trash Placard 26
ft +
*Trash-Management Plan 40 ft+
Marine Sanitation Device (head)
- Any installed head must be USCG-approved
Navigation Rules
- Complete copy of nav rules are
required onboard vessels over 39.4 ft
- Good over-all condition of vessel as applies to safety
*We have copies to give you if you need them
The free Vessel Safety Check Program is offered as a service
to the recreational boating community
How to become a certified Vessel Examiner
The local USCG Auxiliary holds VE classes at their Calf Pasture Beach facility for interested members of the Norwalk Sail & Power Squadron and other local squadrons. If you are an NSPS member and would like to become a Vessel Examiner, contact our VSC Chair Jack Cohen — cohenjack at gmail dot com
Vessel Examiners must take the course and pass the written test. They must also perform 5 Vessel Safety Checks under the supervision of a currently qualified Vessel Examiner. VEs are required to perform a minimum of 5 Vessel Checks each year in order to stay qualified.