Flotilla Ramp Day @ Cathedral Park

On Saturday, Chris Roosevelt headed up our first VE Ramp Day at Cathedral Park. Six members showed up which included Chris Roosevelt, Paul Ploeger, Murrianna Thomson, Matt and Diane Epstein, and a new member Laura Walters.

With the mentorship of Chris and Diane, Murrianna was able to get her initial five Vessel Safety Checks done to qualify as a Vessel Examiner. Laura observed two VSC's to start her qualification. The boat traffic was fairly steady

[Murrianna observing Paul]

and during the six hours we were there, around 20 VSC's were done.

[ Matt Epstein]

This was an excellent opportunity for the less experienced VE's to learn from some of us who have done hundreds of Vessel Safety Checks. Studying from a book and taking a test is just the start for becoming a Vessel Examiner. It takes time to learn all the different systems of a boat and different types of equipment that may be on a 40 + foot yacht. What you would encounter on a 16 ft. open fishing boat is much simpler than what you see on 46 ft. cabin cruiser.

Being a Vessel Examiner is a great way to teach boaters about Boating Safety. Most of the boaters we encountered Saturday were glad to have the VSC. Only two said No. A couple boaters had trouble getting their lights to work; one was getting frustrated with the white light stick not working. I suggested he check the bulb so when he took the cover off and touched the bulb it came on. He was grateful for my suggestion. Another boater, who had a 28 ft. cabin cruiser, needed a MARPOL trash sticker to meet the VSC requirement. Since I keep a supply of those, I handed him one and he thanked me. It is little things like this that give a good impression of the individual as well as the Coast Guard as a whole.

Diane Epstein FSO-PB