Jim McCaffrey, FSO-VE

We continued our regularly scheduled Vessel Safety Checks on the second and last Saturday of each month from 0900 to 1200 at Lovers Key and Wiggins Pass boat ramps.  We will staff both locations with preference to Lovers Key. So far this year 154 VSC’s have been performed by 13 of our Vessel Examiners.  Of the 154 examinations performed, 132 were awarded a 2011 decal.  We did 36 of the VSC’s at the boat ramps and the remaining 118 at the owner’s dock. 

Flotilla Staff Officers for Public Affairs, Public Education, Program Visitation and Human Resources met on February 3 to discuss how we can work together to support our 2011 goals.  One example of our team approach is the upcoming Bass Pro Shop event scheduled for March.  FL96 VSC staff will present a Vessel Safety Seminar on March 12 at 1400.  It will be free to their customers during their Spring Fishing Classic promotion.  Our PE section will also present a GPS class following the safety program.  PA and PV will also participate. 

We will be setting up VSC’s at Pelican Isle Yacht Club and Mariners Cove Marina.  PE will also be active at these sites.  Coordinating with PV, PE and PA, we will continue to visit local marinas and other sites where we might perform VSC’s.