Courtesy Boat Inspections

Boat inspections can be requested by calling your local county Sheriff's Office marine patrol and are scheduled throughout the summer boating season. Email the Marine Board for a marine deputy contact number to schedule an inspection near you.

After passing an examination, the owner will be issued a Marine Board inspection decal. 

You can also request a vessel safety check from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadrons/America's Boating Club. Scheduled inspections are often offered at launch ramps, marinas, and boat clubs, or appointments can be made for a vessel examiner to come to your boat. This is a free, no-penalty inspection to make sure all your gear complies with state and federal regulations. Go to cgaux.org/vsc to learn more. The program is sponsored by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water.

Similar to marine patrol inspections, after successful completion of the exam, which typically takes less than 30 minutes, the boat owner is awarded a U.S. Coast Guard / Auxiliary / U.S. Power Squadrons decal that informs law enforcement and safety agencies that your boat was in full compliance with all federal and state boating laws during a safety check for the year. 

Does your boat need to be inspected for the Hull Identification Number?

Some boats in Oregon are required to be inspected by a marine law enforcement officer before they can be titled and registered.  Boats needing hull identification number (HIN) inspections: 

1) Homebuilt boats 

2) Boats never titled or registered in any state 

3) Boats registered in a non-title state 

4) Boats where the hull identification number appears to be incorrect.  

Boats that may be excluded are:

1) New manufactured boats with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)

2) Boats titled in another state, if the title accompanies the application for Oregon title and the hull number listed is correct. After the HIN inspection is completed, you'll receive a "HIN Inspection Certificate." You must return the certificate directly to the Marine Board at PO Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309.

Learn more about how to title and register your boat in Oregon. 

Email the Marine Board for a marine deputy contact number to schedule a HIN inspection near you.