When we do greet you on the water our primary goal is your safety that, and to make sure you feel at ease with our presence. For the most part, local Coast Guard officials randomly stop recreational boaters for safety checks. Understand, the Coast Guard doesn’t train boarding officers to seek violations. So, relax and welcome them aboard.

The normal boarding follows a sequence of events that begins with a boarding officer introduction. Then the boarding officer will ask whether your boat has undergone a recent CG inspection or a Coast Guard Auxiliary Courtesy Marine Examination (CME). If it has, the boarding officer will ask to see either a CG Boarding Report form (4100) or a Auxiliary CME decal. If the decal is current (1999), the boarding officer, in most cases, will end the boarding and bid you farewell.

As for the Coast Guard 4100 form, it will either reveal a clean bill of health or noted violation(s). The type of violation will be marked on the boarding form. The boarding officer will then ask if the violation has been corrected. If it has, the boarding officer will write a new 4100 Boarding Report and provide you a yellow copy which makes you, as we say in the trade, as ‘good as gold’.

In the event, you have neither a recent CME decal or CG Boarding Report, the boarding officer will inspect your boat. The boarding officer will first ask to see a Certificate of Registration or a Certificate of Documentation. In most cases, boaters carry a state registration. The registration must be current and it must be an original. Also, a state driver’s licence (not mandatory) will be requested to confirm ownership on the registration. Unfortunately, too often, many boaters carry a current registration decal on the boat hull, but fail to carry the original registration certificate aboard. In that event, the boarding officer must call in to confirm ownership. Registration checks sometimes can take longer than the inspection.

So, make sure you carry a current registration aboard. By the way, the information on the registration- like year built, hull identification number, address, etc. are required on the 4100 form. In addition, the 4100 form contains a list of equipment and safety items required on aboard recreational boats. This list varies according to the boat size. Lack of safety equipment will draw a violation, or a warning may be issued depending on the discrepancy. If there’s no offenses, the boater will be issued a ‘good as gold’ 4100 yellow copy.

In the event, a violation is noted, a copy of the 4100 form will be mailed to a CG hearing officer who will then make a judgment on the violation. First time offenders normally are directed to correct the discrepancy and to show proof. If cited again for the same violation, expect a fine.

Obviously, the best way to avoid violations is to be squared away. That’s why we’re passing the word now at the season start so you can make your boat as ‘good as gold’. How do you do that? Get your hands on The Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats pamphlet. This excellent user friendly, all you-need-to-know hand-size brochure is your ticket to passing a Coast Guard boarding, but better yet it’s a sure ticket to a safe boating season. You can obtain one at your local Coast Guard Station or call the Coast Guard Boating Safety Infoline at 800-368-5647 (Alexander Virginia) to have one mailed.

Boat Smart- get one and make your boat as ‘good as gold’.

Boaters Help save Channel 16 use Channel 09 as your calling frequency.