T he U.S. Coast Guard is a multi-mission agency. While our legacy mission of rescuing lives at sea remains a priority, the enforcement of maritime laws and homeland security has become the Coast Guard's newest focus of concern. The Coast Guard, in addition to the thousands of boardings conducted each year by state and local maritime enforcement agencies, conducts nearly 70,000 boardings a year in its multiple roles of enforcing maritime laws, conducting search and rescue operations, promoting boating safety, preventing damage to marine environments, and assisting in the nation's border security. The greater amount of time any boater spends on the water, the more likely he or she will have the pleasure of a Coast Guard boarding. The spectacle of flashing blue lights and a Coast Guard vessel coming up alongside your boat, however, is no reason to panic.

Most often, the decision to board is based on the activity, the location, and, in some circumstances, obvious violations such as operating at night without your navigation lights, or improper display of registration numbers. In order to help us decide, we usually ask a series of pre-boarding questions: What was the vessel's last port of call and next port of call? How many persons are on board? What is the purpose of your voyage?

If we decide to board, consider it an important opportunity to learn something new about safety equipment and safe boating practices. Typically, a uniformed Coast Guard boarding team of two to four boarding officers will come aboard, introduce themselves and state the reason for the boarding. The officer in charge will ask if you have any weapons on board. The boarding team will then conduct an initial safety inspection to identify any obvious safety hazards and to verify the general seaworthiness of your vessel.


At this point, the officer will ask to see the boat's registration or other documentation and proceed to a more detailed inspection of your vessel's required safety equipment - PFDs, fire extinguishers, flares, etc. You should know that we check every aspect of each item on our list. For example, with PFDs - the item most frequently cited for violations - we check to see whether you have them on board, if they are in good and serviceable condition, Coast Guard-approved, properly stowed, and are the correct size for the intended wearers. When the boarding is completed, the officer will provide the operator with a copy of the Boarding Report and any additional information.

The Coast Guard would like to see all vessels in full compliance, and safely operated. One way to make sure you're in compliance, or if you're uncertain about the safety requirements for your vessel, is to schedule a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) - which is offered free of charge by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons(r) and state boating agencies.  To find out more about VSCs, log onto www.safetyseal.net. Qualified examiners will come to your vessel and inspect it for all the required equipment. Those vessels that pass will be issued a VSC decal, indicating a successful check. Remember, drowning is the No. 1 cause of boating fatalities, and the most preventable. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you and your passengers always wear your PFDs. 

The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters, "You're in Command. Boat Responsibly!" For more information, visit www.USCGboating.org.