Your Safety
The United States Coast Guard and The Last Watch Foundation working together for you
The USCG oversees all activities on the water concerning boating operations, boating licensing, inspections, and certifications for your safety. That is a very important statement:Â It is all about your safety. The vessel must meet all USCG standards for the business and its operations to even exist. They oversee everything and well they should.
The operator of the vessel must be licensed as a captain. This takes rigorous education, training, and many hours of experience. He has to be in a drug and alcohol testing program and certified in First Aid and CPR. He has to pass all skill tests such as Man-Overboard and Fire and log all drills.
The vessel has to be appropriately insured, of sound working order, and have all required equipment up to date. This includes electronics, bilge alarm system, emergency lighting system, fixed fire system, engine room fire insulation, railings, gates, fire- fighting extinguishers and buckets with lanyards, life ring with throw line and beacon, proper life jackets and storage containers. There are more items that have to be way above a recreational vessel’s requirements for your safety.
Inspections include stability, drills, out-of-the-water and in-the-water examinations, paper work, licensing as well as equipment and systems. There are even inspections by the USCG Auxiliary for what is referred to as a six-pack license. The State of California also requires licensing just to be able to dispose of ashes. We are even further licensed by the State as a non-profit charitable trust foundation.
We are currently in the process of completing our final requirements by the USCG and should be certified to carry passengers by mid-January. This has been a very costly endeavor, but educational, fun, and highly rewarding. It is particularly comforting to see that the general public is so amazingly well protected by the USCG. When you board the ‘Orion’, you will have the comfort of knowledge that you are in quite capable and safe hands as well as on a safe and seaworthy vessel.
For the State of California, the Secretary of State and Attorney General, Department of Justice, and Department of Consumer Affairs have awarded a non-profit, public benefit, charitable trust designation to The Last Watch Foundation to provide funeral services to help the Military and their families. We are the only organization in the United States to be awarded this honor. The State has also given us license to perform the scattering of ashes at sea. If a donation to The Last Watch is ever received, those funds are deposited directly into The Last Watch Foundation.