By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. The U.S. Coast Guard Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check (VSC) covers a wide variety of recreational boats that include kayaks, canoes, row boars, paddleboards, and sculls. All safety equipment that is recommended is essential, since paddle craft can swamp or capsize easily and boaters can be injured or drown. Especially important is that paddle craft boaters acquire the knowledge and skills to operate their vessels safely and to use good judgment in deciding whether they can handle the weather and sea conditions that are likely to occur on each trip. As a result, the boater education aspect of the Vessel Safety Check becomes even more important.

The vessel safety check form for paddle craft examination is organized into five sections:

• Information about the owner or operator
• Information about the paddle craft
• Mandatory requirements for boating safety equipment
• Equipment recommended when the boat is used in open water
• Other recommendations

Free Paddle Sports Safety Course
I highly recommend that all paddle craft operators take a paddle craft course. Here is a link to an online course that one may take and receive certification:
https://www.boaterexam.com/paddling/

Owner/Operator Information
This information helps the examiner to tailor the recommendations to the operator’s knowledge and experience. The first question is whether the operator has attended a Safe Boating Class. A paddle craft operator is exempt from being required to attend such a class, but the requirement attaches if the paddle craft has a gas or electric motor attached. In that case, all operators born after September 1, 1993, are required to have attended a Safe Boating Class and have their Boater Education Certificate with them on the water.
The second question asks of the operator has attended a Related Skills Class such as the one noted above. The designation refers to a class or seminar that concentrates on specific paddle craft skills, such as paddling strokes, kinds of rescues, exit and re-entry, and safety equipment. Although not required, it is highly recommended.

SAFETY CHECK REQUIREMENTS

Sound Signal
Operators of non-motorized boats are required to have some means of making a detectable oral or mechanical sound signal that can be heard from no less than one-half mile away, such as a whistle or a horn. Ideally it is attached to your life jacket. Although just about any whistle will do, a pea-less whistle is highly recommended. Old style whistles have a ball-shaped piece of cork in them that helps make the whistle loud. That piece of cork deteriorates quickly when it is exposed to water. Newer models such as the Fox40 whistle do not have a pea and are not affected by immersion in water.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
The requirements for a personal flotation device (life jacket) are the same as those for a powerboat or sailboat. There must be one Coast Guard approved PFD, adjusted to the wearer, and immediately available. It is important to wear your PFD at all times when in, on and around the water. This is especially true in the case of small boats or paddlecraft due to the increased chance of capsizing. A canoe or kayak can capsize even in calm waters. According to the U.S. Coast Guard statistics at least 90% of people who drown in boating accidents were not wearing a PFD at the time. PFDs can save lives, but only when worn. Although not required, it is always a good idea to have a Type IV Throwable Device onboard for use in an emergency situation. All occupants less than 13 years of age must wear a Type I, II, or Type III PFD when not at the dock under Texas regulations.

Overall Vessel Condition
In order to receive the VSC decal, the paddle craft condition must be good overall. The examiner will make sure that the hull and deck are sound. Even a small leak could impact the stability of the vessel. If holes are patched with duct tape, the vessel will not qualify for a vessel safety check decal. If the paddle craft has a skeg or a rudder, it must be working and fastened securely. Hatch covers must be in good condition, secure and fitted properly. Deck lines and bungee cords must be in good condition and secure, not fraying or hanging off the paddle craft. The paddler uses the lines to secure equipment, get back into the paddle craft if he or she has fallen overboard, and hold on to the boat if it has capsized. Bulkheads, airbags, emergency flotation must be in good working order. The examiner will check for holes and cracks. Some paddle craft do not have any bulkheads and instead require the use of airbags or foam blocks at the stern and bow to help provide flotation. This type of craft will become unusable or will sink when flooded if the airbags or foam blocks are missing. Paddles and oars must be serviceable. They must not have any visible cracks or fractures along the blade or shaft.

Navigation Lights
Although the U.S. Coast Guard only requires that a paddle craft operating between sunset and sunrise or in restricted visibility have a white light, Texas boating regulations additionally require that “canoes, kayaks, and all other manually driven vessels shall exhibit sidelights and a sternlight, and shall exhibit at least one bright light, lantern, or flashlight from sunset to sunrise when not at dock.”

Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
If operating between sunset and sunrise a VDS suitable for night use must be carried. Either one (1) Coast Guard approved electric light (with S.O.S.) or three (3) combination day/night flares. Expired signals do not meet the requirement and are unreliable if used.

State and/or Local Requirements
In order to receive a VSC decal, the paddle craft must meet state and local requirements as well. I have noted such requirements above, but it is best to read and familiarize yourself with the rules rather than rely on this article. The best way to do that is to use your Coast Guard app that you have hopefully loaded onto your smart phone. It has all of the requirements for each state.

Next week we will discuss the recommendations portion of the Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Check. Please check out the paddle craft safety course link. I am certified!

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

[1-1-2018]