VSC Decals-
VEs, need 2010 stickers? Contact John Herbertson, FSO-VE 41. He has sufficient on hand and
can order more.
"Florida's
recreational boating requirements" -
this is a five panel flyer
published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
with its goal to
educate the recreational boater to the most important considerations for
outfitting a recreational boat for safe on-water activities. VESSEL
EXAMINERS should provide each recipient of a VS. with a copy of this
flyer upon completion of the safety check.
Alert
- Several VSCs have been done on the 2006 Carolina Skiff 18' center
console. All have been found to not have working bow lights. These new
boats should have working bow lights as many of them have not been on the
water. It was discovered on the weekend of April 8th at Boats-R-Us
dealership, that the three recently delivered from the factory are all
missing wiring from the center console where the electric panel is
located. This is a factory issue. Owners should return their boat to the
dealership to have a technician install the electrical wire to the bow
light. The factory is giving out $100 rebates if the boat is brought in.
The dealer estimates 15 boats are out there without the bow light working.
New Wrinkle in
Security Zone
- Jacksonville, Fl - Navy security personnel took 4 individuals into
custody for failure to leave a security zone when commanded.
The 4 POB were fishing at the time under trolling motor when a security
vessel pulled alongside. They refused leave leading to their arrest. Please stress to people when conducting a
VS. that they are not to
be within 100 feet of government assets whether the asset is in the water
or not. This can include bridges and other structures. It definitely
includes any military vessel. Explain to them how to recognize a
government asset and what they should do.
Waterway Watch
- All VSCs should include a pamphlet from the Waterway Watch program. The
VS. workshop is mandatory this year and you should receive the training if
you have not yet. Ask the MA officer for Waterway Watch materials to hand
out when doing a VS..
Boating Skills & Seamanship
- All boat operators and those involved in in recreational boating,
including passengers, should have a formal education in recreational
boating (see the note below "A new regulation"). Boating Skills &
Seamanship provides this training. Vessel Examiners should, upon
completion of a Vessel Safety Check, provide the operator with
information regarding local BS&S classes coming up. Flotilla 41 provides
a BS&S information sheet-insert with each copy of the "Florida's
recreational boating requirements" flyer as well as in
"The Florida BOATER'S GUIDE" and the "Federal
Requirements & Safety Tips" handbooks. These inserts do not
provide specific dates so the VE should be aware of the up-coming
schedule of BS&S classes.
A
new Florida State regulation! - The
Boating Safety
Education Requirements have changed. Effective January 1, 2010,
in the state of Florida, boat operators who were born on or
after January 1, 1988 must pass an approved boater safety course
and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a
boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to operate any
motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or more. Boating Skills & Seamanship
satisfies this requirement.
