Local Knowledge
Vessel Safety Check is prevention through education and outreach designed as a joint program with the Coast Guard Auxiliary to help recreational boaters to assure that their boats are legally equipped and safe to operate.
Santa Barbara Sail and Power Squadron now has 3 Vessel Examiners to give Vessel Safety Checks. We are pleased to announce that members Lt. Alvin Rice, P, Lt. Steve Hodges, JN and Dan Collie, N have been certified as USPS Vessel Examiners or VE. Please contact Alvin, Steve or Dan to have your vessel checked.
In addition to examining the legally required items for your boat, the inspector will discuss boating safety and those items, although not legally required, make boating more pleasant and safe. For more information about this program, and a list of items inspected and discussed, see the Boater's Pre-Departure Checklist.
Effective 01 April 2004 the US Coast Guard will no longer print and mail copies of each LNM. Electronic versions of LNM appear on the Coast Guard Navigation Center's website (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/default.htm). By entering their website you can register for List Server notification for the desired district. A wealth of informatino regarding GPS, DGPS, Loran C, etc. can be obtain while you are in their site. Do a little browsing.
The Coast Guard has established temporary regulations for the safety and security of U.S. naval vessels. Effective immediately, Naval Vessel Protection Zones are established within 500 yards of any U.S. naval vessel, including any vessel owned, operated, chartered, leased, or under the operational control of the U.S. Navy. All vessels within these zones shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course. Vessels shall proceed as directed by the official Coast Guard if assigned, or the Commanding Officer of the U.S. naval vessel if no Coast Guard vessel is present. No vessel or person is allowed within 100 years of a U.S. naval vessel, unless authorized by the official patrol. Vessels requesting movement through this zone shall contact the official patrol on VHF-FM channel 16. Violations of these regulations are punishable as a felony.
