1. Prepared by thePrepared by the NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF VESSEL EXAMINATIONNATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF VESSEL EXAMINATIONAND RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY VISITATIONRECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY VISITATION

2.  To familiarize our Vessel Examiners with the variety of Paddle Craft that they may encounter in the performance of their duties  To introduce our Vessel Examiners to the new “7012a Form” for Paddle Craft Vessel Safety Checks, and explain the significant changes  To help educate our Vessel Examiners to understand the specific needs of these craft, and provide them with recommendations to enhance their personal contacts with the paddling public Workshop Objectives

3. Types of Paddle Craft KAYAKS ROWBOATS CANOES

4. Types of Paddle Craft continued PADDLEBOARDS SCULLS PADDLE BOATS

5. New “7012a” Form  The 7012a form  Created by the National V-Department Staff  Released in Dec.2010  Currently available in online version  Available through ANSC (in a carbon copy form / Spring 2011)  To be used for Paddle Craft VSC’s in place of the current 7012 form for 2011

6. New “7012a” Form continued  To be completed in the same manner as the 7012 form  Broken down into 5 sections, plus a Vessel Examiner Comments space for any handwritten notes  Sections 1, 2, and 3, must be completed for award of the VSC decal

7.  Section I  Name  Attended  Safe Boating Class  Related Skills Class  Location  County and State  Current Decal  Status  Last Year  Outdated  First Time 7012a Form Section I

8. Some recognized classes:  USCG Auxiliary Safe Boating Class  Power Squadron  American Canoe Association  Local Metro Parks  State DNR  Others Safe Boating Classes

9. Some related classes:  USCG Auxiliary Paddle Sports America Class  ACA Level I  Intro to Paddlecraft  Basic Paddling Skills  Rescue & Safety  Local Metro Parks  Local Sporting Goods & Outdoor Stores  Bass Pro Shops  Gander Mountain  Cabela’s Related Skills Classes

10.  Section II  Registration and/or HIN #  Make and Model  Type of Paddle Craft  Kayak, Canoe, Row Boat, Paddleboard, Scull, Other  Color  Deck / Hull  Length  Where used  Protected  Open  Swift 7012a Form Section II

11.  Section III  Sound Signal  Life jackets (PFD’s)  Overall Vessel Condition  a. through f.  Navigation Lights  Visual Distress Signals  State / Local Requirements 7012a Form Section III

12. Sound producing device :  Navigation rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances as well as in periods of reduced visibility  The most common sound producing device a paddler carries is a whistle  The whistle needs to be readily available to any paddle craft operator  Any approved sound producing device can be used Required Gear Federal

13. Life Jackets (PFD’s)  Life Jacket: You must have a wearable USCG approved (TYPE I, II, or III) PFD for each person on board in all waters  Though not required to be worn at all times, a Life Jacket should be worn at all times when underway (A PFD can save your life, but only if you wear it)  Kayaks and canoes are exempt from carrying the additional throwable PFD (Type IV PFD) that is required for other boats over 16 ft Required Gear Federal

14. Overall Vessel Condition  Vessel should be in good serviceable condition  No leaky holes  No cracks  No lines or fittings in disrepair Navigation lights: minimum requirement  a lantern or flashlight showing a white light which shall be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision

15. Visual Distress Signals :  Paddlecraft must be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved Visual Distress Signal’s when on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas & those waters connected directly to them that are greater than 2 miles wide.  Signals can be pyrotechnic or electronic (electronic are accepted for night use only). Required Gear Federal

16. Local / State Regulations:  Vessel Examiners must be knowledgeable of their home State requirements before doing a Vessel Safety Check on any paddle craft  If you are performing Vessel Safety Checks in different States, please refer to that State’s Maritime Law Enforcement Agency for their specific laws * DISCUSSION * Take a minute to briefly discuss your State’s requirements Local / State Regulations

17.  Section IV  Pump or bailer  Spray skirt  Spare paddle/oars  Compass/GPS/Charts  Tow/Boat Recovery  VHF Marine Radio 7012a Form Section IV It is important that the Vessel Examiner be familiar with these items and their uses to help educate novice paddlers during VSC’s.

18. Open Water Recommendations Manual Pump or Bailer Spray Skirt Compass Spare Oars/Paddles GPS EPIRB Charts VHF Marine Radio

19.  Section V  Dress appropriately  Personal ID  Waterproof bag  Float Plan  Food and Water  Assess the risk  High Visibility Clothing  Emergency Kit  Self rescue systems  “If Found – Contact” Decal  Accident reporting responsibility 7012a Form Section V and VE Comments

20. Other Recommendations EXPOSURE SUIT HELMETS FLOAT PLAN FOOD & SNACKS WATER FIRST AID KIT WATERPROOF BAG FOR ID & PERSONAL ITEMS SUNSCREEN

21. Other Recommendations New “If Found – Contact” Decal “If Found – Contact” Decal  The VE should recommend that the paddler use this decal and provide the paddler with one during VSC, if possible.  "Available by DIRAUX or your District RBS Specialist. Please see your DSO-VE for specific contact information."

22. 7012a Form Back of Paddler’s Copy  Back of Paddler’s Copy  The back of the paddler’s copy of the 7012a form contains useful information and details, which correspond to the boxes on the front of the form  This allows the VE to flip the form over and locate the answers to questions that may be asked of him/her during an inspection  This information can also be useful to the paddler

23. Hopefully this workshop has helped provide you with some new information and tools to expand your Paddle Craft knowledge. This workshop is not designed to make Paddle Craft experts out of you, but to help you improve your personal interactions with members of the paddling community. As Vessel Examiners we need to realize that not all Paddlers we are going to make contact with are experienced, it is our job to educate all we encounter to the best of our abilities. Summation PREVENTION THROUGH INTERACTION

24. Director (DIR-V) Lillian M. Haines Deputy Director (DIR-VD)Richard E. Myrick Division Chief – Qualifications (DVC-VQ)Carole A. Falcone Division Chief – Technical Support (DVC-VT)James F. Lubner Division Chief – Incentive Programs (DVC-VI)Michael S. Klacik Division Chief – Communications (DVC-VC)Paul J. Mayer Jr. We Save Lives !!!