Are RBSVP volunteers allowed to perform formal vessel safety inspections during visits?

• A. Yes, when the boater requests it.
• B. No; inspections and enforcement are outside the scope of RBSVP.
• C. Only if they have written authorization from the Coast Guard.
• D. Only during scheduled enforcement campaigns.

Answer: (B)

RBSVP visits are about safety outreach, not enforcement or formal inspections. During a visitation, volunteers share safety information, discuss best practices, and point boaters to official resources, but they do not perform formal vessel safety inspections or take enforcement actions. Formal inspections are handled by trained, certified inspectors under the Vessel Safety Check program (or Coast Guard Auxiliary’s authorized inspectors), which requires proper authorization and formal procedures. If a boater wants a formal inspection, the appropriate step is to connect them with a certified inspector or schedule a VSC through the official channels.