What is needed on a boat to pass coast guard inspection?

The US Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel are going to be looking at the material condition of your vessel. They will be looking at the hull, thru hull piping, engine compartments, bitts, chocks and cleats, free-board, bilges, bilge pumps, side plating, frames, navigation lights (if required), VHF radio (if required),etc.

They will be looking at safety items. Personal Flotation Devices "PFD's" (proper number, size and condition), life rings, immersion suits (if required), life rafts (if required), means of escape (if required), Electronic Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon "EPIRB" (if required), some efficient means of making a sound, flares (if required), fire extinguishers, flame arrestors, Marine Sanitation Devices "MSD" (if required), MARPOL or other placards (if required), etc.

They will also look at the documentation, such as registration (if required), Hull Identification Number "HIN", boating licence or documentation (if required), insurance, fishing or other recreational "licenses".

There are other unique variables that will come in to play also on a case by case basis.