[C320-list] Boarded by the Coast Guard

[Magnuson's Time A Weigh]

http://www.usps.org/national/vsc/      Here is a link to our USPS web site 
for some additional information.  I took the class to do these VSC's last 
year and offer them to boaters as a free service to keep people from getting 
fined for not having the required safety equipment on board.  It is a joint 
program between the United States Power Squadrons, and the Coast Guard Aux. 
I encourage all to have one done every year to be sure you have all the 
right stuff.  The items I find mostly revolve exposes battery terminals, 
PFD's inaccessible, Visual Distress signals, expired, sound devices, and 
fire extinguishers inoperable.  Our inspections are all voluntary by request 
and help to possibly  avoid the CG boardings.  In our area, if they find 
something missing result in a termination of use and escort home. On the 
inland lakes, if boarded by the DNR, there is usually a fine involved.

Gary Magnuson
Time A Weigh   # 205


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Warren Updike" <wupdike at hotmail.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 3:57 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Boarded by the Coast Guard


> CG boardings around the Chesapeake are not uncommon, especially in 
> proximity
> to a CG station.  Apparently, they operate under a quota. One told me they
> focus on the workboats during the week and recreational boaters on the 
> week
> end.
>
> We were with a group of boats on the Choptank R. when the CG approached 
> one
> boat for an inspection.  Being the wise a.. that I am, I got on the radio
> and announced that so-and-so is being boarded. I ended with, "if they want
> to board me, they have to catch me first."  Clearly a tongue-in-cheek 
> remark
> as I was under sail and they were in a patrol boat with about a zillion
> horsepower behind.  Sure enough, I was next.  They were very professional
> and nice guys.  The inspection was as Ray described and, happily, we 
> passed.
>
>
> The CG Auxiliaries may conduce what they call (I think,) Courtesy Safety
> Inspections at no charge. They use the same checklist as the CG.  If you
> pass, they issue you a report and a decal to display on your mast (port 
> side
> about 3' up.)  I've heard that the CG may pass on the boarding if your 
> decal
> is a year or two old.
>
> Warren & Pattie Updike
> 1994 C320 #62 "Warr De Mar"
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ray Durand [mailto:durand.mail at verizon.net]
> Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 11:58 AM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Boarded by the Coast Guard
>
> As I was leaving Avalon Harbor (Catalina Island) a few days ago, I noticed 
> a
> Coast Guard boat just outside the breakwater.  Sure enough, a dinghy with 
> 4
> or 5 guardsmen approached our boat and they asked when was the last time I
> had been inspected.  It was about 4-5 years since this last happened to 
> us.
> Two guardsmen came aboard.  FYI - here's what they wanted to see:
>
>
>
> Fire extinguishers
>
> Flares (they checked the dates)
>
> Bilge
>
> Placards re oil and trash disposal
>
> Registration
>
> ID (driver license)
>
>
>
> They also wanted to see that my holding tank through hull valve was 
> closed.
>
>
>
> Last time this happened to me, my flares were out of date.  They wrote me 
> up
> and I had to send in proof that I had purchased new flares.  There wasn't
> any penalty associated with this.
>
>
>
> Ray Durand, #822
>
> Marina del Rey, CA
>
>
>
>
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