[Administrator]

No paperwork is required to operate a marine VHF in the US. Don't use a handheld marine VHF portable on land.

If you have passed a CG Auxiliary courtesy safety inspection, that paperwork will save you some grief, should you ever be boarded by the Coasties. We have been boarded once in a whole bunch of years, down by Shawn's home waters. Very courteous and very thorough, though much of the crew seemed more interested in my wife's bikini than my documentation papers.

I remember a bit of surprise when asked to show two plaques, one dealing with discharge of oil, etc. and I forget the other. Is there a CGA member among us who could clarify? We did have them, but I didn't know they were required.

Oh, one other thing: They "inspected" our dinghy, even though it was bagged in the aft cabin.

Bill

ps: She still looks great in a bikini. My Speedo is in the back of my underwear drawer, permanently stowed.