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Registration numbers:

• Registration numbers are properly displayed:

  • properly located - permanently attached to each side of forward half of the boat

  • required character size - not less than three inches high

  • required style - plain vertical block characters

  • required spacing - one character space (not a "1" or "I") between state and 4 digits and last two characters

  • required color contrast - characters must have a clear contrast to background color

Proper registration / documentation:

• Coast Guard Documentation required for vessels more than 5 net tons
• Registration / documentation papers are on board and available
• Documentation numbers permanently marked on visible part of boat's interior
• Documented boat's name and hailing port properly displayed on exterior hull
• Name and hailing port in proper size characters (not less than 4 inches in height)

Required personal flotation devices:

• Personal flotation devices (PFDs) [Life Jackets] are Coast Guard approved
• PFDs are in good serviceable condition and of suitable size for each person on the vessel
• Children have properly fitted PFDs designed for children!
• Wearable PFDs are "readily accessible"
• Throwable devices are "immediately available"
• PFDs are NOT stored in unopened plastic packaging
• PFDs for personal water craft (PWCs) riders must be worn and indicate an impact rating
• If the vessel is 16 feet or longer it must have one type IV device

Visual Distress Signals

• Recreational boats operating in coastal waters (or Great Lakes)

  •  a minimum of three Coast Guard approved (currently dated) day and night visual distress signals

  • Some signals (e.g. red flares) can serve for both day & night

• Boats operating on inland waterways

  •  should have some means of making a suitable day & night distress signal

  • Possible alternatives to pyrotechnic devices include:

  Night	Day
  Strobe light	Signal mirror
  Flashlight	Red or orange flags
  Lantern	Hand signals

Fire Extinguishers

• If - your boat has one of the following:
  • Inboard engines,
  • Closed compartments that store portable fuel tanks,
  • A double bottom hull that is not completely sealed,
  • A double bottom hull that is not filled with floatation materials,
  • A closed living space,
  • Closed stowage compartments that contain flammable materials,
  • Permanently installed fuel tanks,
• Then - you have on board the at least the following type and number of fire extinguishers:

  Boat length	No fixed extinguishing system	With a fixed extinguishing system
  Less than 26'	One B-1	0
  26' to less than 40'	Two B-1 or one B-2	One B-1
  40' to 65'	Three B-1 or one B-1 & one B-2	Two B-1 or one B-2

• Fire extinguishers are readily accessible and verified as serviceable

Ventilation

• If - your boat:
  •  has gasoline engines in closed compartments and
  •  was built after August 1980
• Then - it must have a powered ventilation system, OR
• If - your boat
  •  has gasoline engines in closed compartments and
  • was built prior to August 1980
• Then - it must have natural or powered ventilation OR
• If - your boat has:
  • closed fuel tank compartments and
  • was built after August 1, 1978
• Then - it must display a "certificate of compliance" OR
• If - your boat has:
  • closed fuel tank compartments and
  • was built before August 1, 1978
• Then - it must have either natural or powered ventilation in the fuel tank compartment

Backfire flame arrestor

All gasoline powered inboard motor boats must be equipped with an approved backfire flame control device.

Sound Producing devices

To comply with Navigation Rules and for distress signaling purposes all boats must carry a sound producing device (whistle, horn, siren, etc.) capable of a 4-second blast audible for 1/2 mile.  Boats larger than 39.4 feet are also required to have a bell (see Navigation rules below).

Navigation lights

• Navigation lights must be displayed between sunset and sunrise and in conditions of reduced visibility.
• Boats 16 feet or more must have properly installed, working navigation lights
• Boats 16 feet and longer must have an all-around anchor light capable of being lit independently from the red/green/white running lights

Pollution Placard

Boats 26 feet and longer with a machinery compartment must display an oily waste "pollution" placard.

Marpol Trash Placard

• Boats 26 feet and longer in length must display a "MARPOL" trash placard
• Boats 40 feet and longer in length must also display a written trash disposal plan

Marine Sanitation Device

• Any installed toilet must be a Coast Guard approved device
• Overboard discharge outlets must be capable of being sealed

Navigation Rules

Boats 39.4 feet and longer must have a current copy of the Navigation Rules on board

State and Local Requirements

• These requirements must be met before the "Vessel Safety Check" decal can be awarded
• The vessel must meet the requirements of the state in which it is being examined

Overall Boat Condition

• Hazards and Bilge:
  • Deck must be free of hazards and have a clean bilge
  • Boat must be free of fire hazards
  • In good overall condition
  • Bilges must be reasonably clean
  • Visible hull structure must be generally sound
  • There must not be evidence of automotive parts being used on engines
  • Engine horsepower must not exceed that shown on the capacity plate

   

• Electrical Systems 
  • Electrical system must be protected by fuses or manual reset circuit breakers
  • Switches and fuse panels must be protected from rain or water spray
  • Wiring must be in good condition
  • Wiring must be properly installed with out exposed areas or deteriorated insulation
  • Batteries must be secured and terminals covered to prevent accidental arcing
  • Any self-circling or kill switch mechanism must be in proper working condition
  • All PWCs require an operating self-circling or kill switch mechanism

   

• Fuel systems
  • Portable fuel tanks (normally seven gallon capacity or less) must be constructed of non-breakable material
  • Portable fuel tanks (normally seven gallon capacity or less) must be free of corrosion and leaks
  • All vents must be capable of being closed
  • The tank must be secured and have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap.
  • Permanently installed fuel tank(s) must be properly ventilated

   

• Galley and Heating systems
  • System and fuel tanks must be properly secured with no flammable materials nearby