• When retrieving your boat for the day, check your boat, motor and trailer for weeds and other things “tagging along.”
• Wash your boat’s hull with hot water or with a high-pressure spray.
• Drain livewells, bilges and other compartments.
• Drain all standing water from your boat.
• Don’t dump leftover bait into the water you’re fishing, unless you collected the bait there.

A Vessel Safety Check is a free courtesy examination of private recreational boats to verify the presence and condition of safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. The vessel examiner is a trained member of the U.S. Power Squadrons or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Persons whose boats fail the examination are informed of all shortcomings so they may correct them and be given a chance for re-examination and the awarding of the decal. Vessels that pass may display the distinctive VSC decal, which entitles the boat owner to discounts at some marine dealers (see web site for details). Learn more about Vessel Safety Checks or arrange for a free VSC by visiting the web site www.vesselsafetycheck.org.