U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Offers Free Safety Checks On Boats

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, IL — U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 37-25 is again partnering with Water Werks Boats Sales to promote recreational boating safety.

On Saturday, April 11, free vessel safety checks will be offered at Water Werks Boat Sales, 18660 S. Cicero Ave., Country Club Hills, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiners will ensure that you are in compliance with all state and federal boating regulations.

Vessels passing safety checks are awarded a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary decal that inform agencies that perform law enforcement on the water that your boat was in full compliance with all federal and state boating laws during a safety check for that year. Every vessel safety check is free of charge.

If your boat does not pass, no citation is issued at that time. Instead, you are provided a written report in how to correct any discrepancies. This will provide peace of mind that your boat meets federal safety standards and that in an emergency you will have the necessary equipment to save lives and summon help. In many cases boating insurance agencies offer discounts for which owners undergo a vessel safety check every year. All decals and safety checks are void December 31 of the year they are inspected.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit cgaux.org.