About the Vessel Examinations Program

The Vessel Examination program provides a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) service to owners or operators of recreational boats to educate them on boating safety and on the equipment they are required to carry in order to be compliant with Federal, State, and local regulations. Certain rental, scouting/youth, Federal, State, and local government-owned boats are eligible for Vessel Safety Checks as long as they are not used for carrying passengers for hire. Additionally, the Commandant may specifically authorize other boats for a VSC.

9WR VE Training Syllabus

The following course curriculum has been developed to support 9WR Vessel Examiners as they grow in the program and sharpen their skills to become more proficient Vessel Examiners and branch out in to other USCG Auxiliary RBS programs. This training is optional for our members and, with the exception of documented errata, does not supersede any information or directives provided in the official VSC Manual.

Members and Units are encouraged to take this material, tailor it for the circumstances of their local area of operations/boating constituency, and reinforce the skills of our membership. Likewise the 9WR VE Team encourages Members to forward on any questions, updates, corrections, or improvements for the material so they can be addressed and incorporated into this collection.

The VSC Manual, linked to the left of this page, is the one and only source of authorized activities for Vessel Examiners participating in the VE Program.

Basic Training:

• VE/VSC 101 (1.0 hrs) - Vessel Safety Check Mission Mechanics - This course covers the mechanics of how the Vessel Safety Check Mission is performed, how the VE is assigned to duty, and now members become qualified in the mission.
• VE/VSC 111 (2.0 hrs) - Vessel Safety Check Basics – “Just the basics” an Auxiliarist needs to pass the recreational boat portion of the Vessel Examiner Qualification Exam. The course is intended for members wishing to attain a new VE qualification or previously qualified Vessel Examiners who would like a deep refresher on the core material.
• VE/VSC 112 (2.0 hrs) - Vessel Safety Check Discussion - Discussion topics the Vessel Examiner should be prepared to engage the boater with above-and-beyond the 15 checklist items on the 7012 form.
• VE/VSC 121 (1.5 hrs) - Practical VE Training – A focus on resources and practical techniques for becoming a more proficient examiner; leading VE Blitzes to engage more of our members in the VE mission, ways to reach out to all types of boaters, plus the topics of interest to the class participants.
• VE/VSC 201 (0.75 hrs) - PWC Vessel Safety Checks – Special aspects of performing Vessel Safety Checks on Personal Water Craft.
• VE/VSC 202 (1.0 hrs) - Paddlecraft Vessel Safety Checks – Special aspects of performing Vessel Safety Checks on Paddlecraft and considerations to keep in mind when engaging the paddling community.
• VE/VSC 301 (0.75 hrs) - OPFAC Vessel Safety Checks – Special aspects of performing Vessel Safety Checks on USCG Auxiliary Operational Facilities.

Annual Updates and Advanced Training:

• VE/VSC 321 (1.5 hrs) – Annual VSC Refresher – Annual VSC Program updates and discussions of focus areas for the coming year of VE and RBS activity.
• VE/VSC 401 (1.5 hrs) - Advanced Workshop for RBS Missions - Topics for Auxiliarists experienced in the VE, PV, PE, or PA Missions detailing the “how” and “why” behind RBS regulations. The course will take a deeper look at common, but infrequent, topics that arise during our RBS outreach missions and are not covered in the VSC or other Manuals.
• VE/VSC COVID-19 Update (1 hrs) - Performing Socially Distanced Vessel Safety Checks (VSC) and VSC Blitzes​. This course will give you the latest information available to conduct Vessel Safety Checks during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Miscellaneous Good Information:

• eVDSD Video - Video Clip of the New Electronic Visual Distress Signal Device (RTCM standard 13200.0).
• NOTE: This is a .MOV format video and may not play in all web browsers. You may need to download the file to view it properly.

Need Extra VE Decals?

There is now a new form in the Documents section (at left) to request additional VE Decals. The VE Decal Request Form shall be used to request new decals when a flotilla has nearly used up their original decal allotment. This fillable PDF form is to be completed by the SO-VE and emailed to the DSO-VE. Re-stock requests must be supported by VSC activity reflected in AUXINFO. Please be aware that it can take up to 2 weeks to receive a re-stock. If decals are needed more urgently, the SO-VE has an “emergency” supply which can be borrowed against, and shall be returned to the SO-VE when the re-stock is received.