NAVEX 1st Quarter 2017 Edition First Edition | Page 15

ISTORY
omoting boating safety by helping to achieve voluntary
ng safety laws, particularly regarding the carriage of
of safety issues through one-on-one contact by vessel
nd many boaters proudly display a vessel safety check
to those whose systems and equipment met regulations,
eption in 1939. In 1946, with the full approval of Coast
rict (Miami), began offering to inspect (with somewhat
e general public. The idea caught on, and in 1947 the
CBI) program on a national level. Auxiliarist Stephen J.
and Coast Guard Station, Newburyport, Massachusetts,
became one of the four cornerstones of the Auxiliary.
d to Courtesy Motorboat Examination (CME). The first
wing year CME’s were extended in Class-A motorboats
eceived a big boost when several insurance companies
sed CMEs.
mplicated in 1967 when the Coast Guard, reacting to an
oard pleasure craft, introduced a new set of standards
tesy examiners now had to look at a boat’s intake and
gh, pointed in the right directions, and projected far
ats and renamed the Courtesy Marine Examination. In
pection and decal program, leaving all responsibility to
ecals to personal watercraft. The year 2000 brought
gram was renamed the Vessel Safety Check Program
ft “safety check” decals were replaced with the same
organizations were authorized to conduct vessel safety
ary. Until recently, only the U.S. Power Squadrons have
Vessel Examiner
Certification
To become a Vessel Examiner an Auxiliarist
must hold Basically Qualified (BQ) status,
pass the open book on-line Vessel Examiner
examination and complete some hands-on
training. He/she needs to go out with a
qualified Vessel Examiner and perform five
exams under the supervision of the qualified
examiner. After this is completed, the
examiner must notify the flotilla commander
who will in turn notify the pertinent DIRAUX
(Director of Auxiliary) Office that the task
has been completed. The DIRAUX will then
certify the Auxiliarist as a qualified VE and
they can start performing vessel exams on
their own.
Today over 6000 Vessel Examiners (VEs)
from both the Coast Guard Auxiliary and
the U.S. Power Squadrons provide voluntary
dockside and driveway safety examinations
of recreational boats. The Vessel Examiners’
primary role is that of EDUCATOR. They
are educating the boating public w ith the
recreational boating safety message, thus
fulfilling one of the Auxiliary’s primary
missions.
1) Inspecting the bow light.
2) VFC Hilmar W. Beose
conducts his flotilla’s first
vessel inspection circa 1947.
3) Two USCG Auxiliarists
give a courtesy motorboat
inspection, checking engine
space. 4) inspecting ground
tackle and lines 5) Even a
famous mouse takes time to
get his vessel safety check,
circa 1970.
he Coast Guard at War Auxiliary XIX” Link
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