USCGAUX INSPECTION

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:29 pm

Have many of you have the inspection done ? did mine the other week all passed . Normally thats the time a light or the horn quits working LOL

http://www.safetyseal.net/what_is_vsc.asp

BTW the head/holding tank is part of it .We had a discussion on that a while back

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:26 pm

We were inspected at the Marina by the Coast Guarad Aux. and then were were boarded while out fishing. We probably will get another one done this spring when the Coast Guard Aux. comes around.
My son did see Coast Guard at the marina about two weeks ago checking the holding tank hook ups. We have disabled our macerator and can only do pump outs. Works for us.

wet wonder · Post by **wet wonder** » Tue May 05, 2009 11:39 pm

I was boarded last summer during a weekend fishing trip. It lasted an hour and interrupted a really good catch. I don't think these officers realize how intrusive it is for someone uninvited to step on your boat and poke around and make small talk. I was very annoyed, so I just scheduled an inspection so I can get the sticker and avoid the same happening this season. Others may be more than happy to be boarded, but I am not.

Last weekend they pulled into the fuel dock at our marina and started inspecting the boats waiting for the pumps. Very jerky IMO.

gjrylands · Post by **gjrylands** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:54 am

I get inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary every year and I still got boarded by the Coast Guard. It was inconvenient but I understand their reasoning and didnâ€™t mind the boarding.

It was early spring. I was bringing my boat from the boat yard on the Calumet River to Burnham Harbor, my Chicago mooring in Lake Michigan. It was a cool drizzly weekday and I think I was the only pleasure boat on the river. It was the first spring after 9/11. The Coast Guardâ€™s vessel was a brand new hard bottom inflatable with twin big ass motors, radar arch, helm station, and a 50 caliber on the bow.

This was clearly a training mission. There was senior officer that was instructing the new crew of the inflatable. Since I had the Coast Guard Auxiliary courtesy inspection I didnâ€™t have to go through the full inspection. They wanted to see the Certificate of Documentation, Illinois registration card, fire extinguishers, flairs, pfdâ€™s, the Coast Guard Auxiliary courtesy inspection and a few other things.

When they were finished inspecting my boat I got to inspect theirs. They were very proud of their boat and really gave me the tour. It was and is impressive. That tour made the stop worth while.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:38 am

Mike it may be cheaper to get a tank or porta-potie then to get a fine , besides its the right thing to do .

aaronbocknek · Post by **aaronbocknek** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:52 am

may i jump in on this one? when i purchased the f-32 last year, it had a 'vintage port-a-pottie' in the head. the sea cocks that were used for the original one have been sealed and closed so that is not an issue. i purchased a new dometic marine sanitation self contained head and it is mounted in the head with brackets. to empty, simply remove the top portion and take the tank to the pump out area or up to the dock house and use the toilet. with this set up paul, will that satisfy the USCG?
i must admit, i am in uncharted territory when it comes to this one.
aaron

kevin babineau · Post by **kevin babineau** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:20 am

as for the toilet issue...i went on craigslist and found someone parting out a boat and i got the tank, some useable hose, y-valve,macerator, and toilet for $150

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Wed May 06, 2009 7:59 am

I have gotten an annual inspection every year for the past 6 years or so.
Our flag raising for our yacht club is this Saturday with inspections following.

As far as the CG boarding, when they come up behind us, we hold out our inspection list and they waive us off, to continue...

The CG has a job to do...they are welcome on my vessel any place, any time.

Dan Faith · Post by **Dan Faith** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:40 am

Was boarded and inspected by the Coast Guard last year, everything checked out they were very polite and it took about 20 min. I will get a vouluntary inspection this year, we have a Coast Guard Aux in our park and he will do all my boats. In Ohio Coast Gaurd is no problem but the Ohio Department of Natural Resouces is another story, everyone complains about them (like rent-a-cop at the store) a little power goes to their heads. Also with gas prices last year you a lot less boats on the water and a much greater chance of being boarded.

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Wed May 06, 2009 11:57 am

We have the CGAUX inspect any boat at the club each year. It's voluntary for our members. Last year I found out my flares were expired. I find them to be helpful and professional and now my flares are up to date.

jwrape · Post by **jwrape** » Wed May 06, 2009 12:51 pm

I'm new to boating on my own just last year... I haven't had an inspection at all yet.
I still haven't gotten my registration for my boat this year either. Gotta figure out what I need to do for all that.

Speaking of Coast Guard. I do have a coast guard plaque where my vessel has been registered as a rescue vessell a few years back. I beleive it's still valid, just not familiar. The former owners gave me the red and white plaque to have.

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Wed May 06, 2009 8:40 pm

Just remember the Coast Guard aux. inspection will not keep the Coast Guard from boarding. We were fishing when they boarded us and we have a sticker showing we were already inspected. I raised fishing poles on one side and we kept trolling. They boarded us, inspected us and left. We kept fishing. They were polite and thorough. We did not mind them boarding, in these times I think they need to know what is going on around the coast.
It was a cold and dismal day. It also was kind of rough out there.

wet wonder · Post by **wet wonder** » Wed May 06, 2009 9:11 pm

No libertarians here I see.