Free vessel safety check available Saturday

Historic City News readers who own a recreational boat are invited to visit the Vilano Beach Boat Ramp tomorrow between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. for a free vessel safety check.

The free boating safety outreach activity, exhibit, and vessel safety check station, will be located at the Boat Ramp; on the Vilano Beach causeway on Saturday, May 18. Sponsors from several public safety agencies will be on hand to provide the safety checks and answer questions for boaters before the summer boating season kicks off on Memorial Day.

A vessel safety check usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, depending upon the size of your boat, according to a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Vessels passing safety checks are awarded a US Coast Guard Auxiliary decal that informs all boating law-enforcement and safety agencies that your boat was in full compliance with all Federal and State boating laws during a safety check for that year.

What Type of Items Are Checked?

• Life Jackets
• Registration and numbering
• Navigation lights
• Ventilation
• Fire extinguishers
• Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
• Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.

Participating agencies include the US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 14-7, US Coast Guard, St Johns County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, St Johns County Marine-Rescue, City of St Augustine Police and Fire Departments, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, US Customs Border Protection, and the St Augustine Lifesaving Association.