coast guard performing inspections on the OH

[HURRICANEBOB]

http://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/1...IM_16796_8.pdf

VESSELS SAFETY CHECK MANUAL FROM US POWER SQUADRONS HOME PAGE.

VOLUNTARY!

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The United States Power Squadrons (or USPS) is a non-profit educational organization, founded in 1914, whose mission is to improve maritime safety and enjoyability through classes in seamanship, navigation, and other related subjects. The USPS comprises approximately 45,000 members organized into 450 squadrons across the United States and in some US territories. It is America's largest non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three US presidents for its civil contributions. Its official publication is The Ensign magazine.

There are many educational opportunities available within the United States Power Squadrons. USPS offers courses that teach basic knowledge necessary to operate boats safely and legally. The basic course meets the requirements set forth by NASBLA. The United States Power Squadrons offer courses in advanced navigation using modern equipment such as GPS and Radar. Courses are even offered in celestial navigation.

One critical activity of the United States Power Squadrons is Vessel Safety Check. During a Vessel Safety Check, a qualified USPS Vessel Examiner will board vessels (with permission) and check for the presence and condition of various pieces of equipment required by federal and state laws for the safe operation of that particular vessel. A vessel safety check is provided at no charge and is not a law enforcement boarding. If the boat carries the proper equipment, a sticker will be awarded to display on the vessel. If a boat does not pass the inspection, the USPS informs the owners, but does not report its findings to any law enforcement or government agency.
A parallel organization operates in Canada, under the name Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS). It was founded as an offshoot of USPS in 1938.

[HURRICANEBOB]

IMPORTANT SEE REQUIRED VS RECOMMENDED:
The following represents a sampling of 100650 Vessel Safety Checks.

74.873% Passed the VSC
25.127% Failed the VSC

Items that Failed: (Note: This is a percentage of ALL vessels examined and some had two or more items that failed so these numbers will not add up to 100%.)

Display of Numbers
5.435%
Registration / Documentation
5.574%
Personal Flotation Devices
2.832%
Visual Distress Signals
12.221%
Fire Extinguishers
4.501%
Ventilation
1.451%
Backfire Flame Control
1.639%
Sound Producing Devices / Bell
5.156%
Navigation Lights
8.465%
Pollution Placard
2.375%
MARPOL Trash Placard
2.802%
Marine Sanitation Device
2.921%
Navigation Rules
2.742%
State and/or Local Regulations
10.432%
Overall Vessel Condition
4.670%

Recommended Items not Found: (Note: These items are not required to pass the VSC.)

Marine Radio
33.433%
Dewatering Device & Backup
14.347%
Mounted Fire Extinguishers
21.570%
Anchor & Line for Area
11.257%
First Aid and PIW Kits
27.928%
Inland Visual Distress Signals
24.252%
Capacity / Cert. of Compliance
28.246%

[jfw]

Got word that the coast guard is stopping boats and performing thorough inspections on the Ohio River - Markland Pool.

What I found news worthy is they are sending people home who don't pass inspection but in order to pass you have to have equipment above and beyond what is required by law.

These guys are checking bilge pumps, running lights (even though it's day-time), fist aid kits, flares, marine radios, battery terminals - yes, they want you to pull every battery you have in your boat out to see the the positive terminal is covered, along with all the standard stuff - life jackets etc.

Seems a little over-kill to me. I don't keep flares, don't have a radio, and I'll be damned if I'm going to pull all 5 batteries out of my boat which by the way don't all have terminal covers.

SO you have to have lights even in the daytime?????

[Duayne]

Looks like the Coast Guard regulations do not stipulate any difference between day and night but that stuff is really hard to read. It also looks like they must be permanently affixed fixtures (no temp clamp ons). I don't know if the stow lights have to be installed. I would guess they wouldn't but they would probably make you put them in and turn them on.

I bet someone could go get a courtesy check and they would let you know exactly what you needed to do to be compliant.

One thing I read was that batteries must be secured to a point where they can not move more than an inch with 90 pounds of pressure applied. That's a lot of force!

[artcarney_agr]

One thing I read was that batteries must be secured to a point where they can not move more than an inch with 90 pounds of pressure applied. That's a lot of force!

Not really - the battery itself weighs around 50 or 60+ - takes a lot of force to overcome that weight/friction.

[flyfish]

I don't think the Power Squadron does water checks. However, there is a group running around on the river decked out in all the gear, blue fatigues, and probably carrying a sidearm. They are called the US Water Patrol. They have ZERO jurisdiction to stop you, board you, check you, etc.

http://www.uswaterpatrol.us/

If these guys stop you, please report to LMPD just to keep tabs on what they are up to.

[Duayne]

Just lovely..

[Duayne]

Not really - the battery itself weighs around 50 or 60+ - takes a lot of force to overcome that weight/friction.

Good point..

[raporter]

A point to ponder. Thinking of the Arizona situation. If there must be a legitimate reason to pull you over on a roadway why wouldn't the same thing apply on water?

[RoadToad]

A point to ponder. Thinking of the Arizona situation. If there must be a legitimate reason to pull you over on a roadway why wouldn't the same thing apply on water?

Because of a law known as "14 US Code Section 89" which authorizes the Coast Guard to board any vessel in US waters at any time, without the need for probable cause:
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/14/I/5/89

[dc chopper]

I dont understand something here. If you have to pull the batterys there is no way you can SEE the terminal cover on the post, you have to pull it off to remove the cables. Now if they LOOK in that would wash but not removing batterys and then there is no cover on it.. I dont know.