As an apprentice marine inspector, U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Kathleen Haseley helps to examine domestic and foreign vessels around Oahu.

While onboard anything from a catamaran to an oil tanker, Haseley and other inspectors check communications, life-saving and engineering gear. A check ride and emergency drills also are required.

"We’ll actually take them out in the harbor and we’ll watch them operate; kind of assess crew competency," Haseley said. "We’ll make sure that they’re licensed mariners and they carry the required credentials."

The Coast Guard’s prevention department also checks for any vessel-related environmental and security concerns. If an inspection is satisfactory, the department will issue a certificate of inspection or endorse a standing certificate.

"It’s an annual type inspection that we do on these vessels to ensure they’re safe to carry the public. … A lot of people look at those inspected stickers" as a sort of stamp of approval and have confidence the "Coast Guard is out there, checking to make sure that the vessels are safe," she said.

In Honolulu, the Coast Guard’s prevention department also conducts dry-dock inspections every two years for small passenger vessels to check parts under the boat that can’t be seen during a regular inspection.

An inspection well done typically generates no public attention.

"When we do our job right nobody knows," Haseley said."When we’re doing everything that we’re supposed to be doing, there aren’t any marine casualties out there, boats are operating safely, no one is spilling oil, dumping sewage, things like that."

Haseley, a Baltimore native, notes that with her Coast Guard assignment the work site area alone is a job perk.

"I feel very fortunate when I’m out there in Waikiki, you know, off the coast of Diamond Head and we’re doing an inspection. It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon, there I am, and I’m getting paid to do this."

At an early age, Haseley knew she was interested in serving her country in some manner.

"It was just something that was really important; really an important value to serve," said Haseley, noting that her parents served in the Army and her four siblings have served in the military.

Before Haseley joined the Coast Guard, she earned a bachelor’s degree at Northern Arizona University and held a few jobs that did not come with military titles. She served as a political appointee for the administration of President George W. Bush and worked at a small security firm, but did not find the later employment as fulfilling as public service.

"I was looking for a sense of higher purpose, a sense of belonging, a sense of service," she recalled. Four years ago, that search prompted her to enroll in Coast Guard Officer Candidate School.

Applicants must hold a four-year college degree from an accredited college and meet age, physical and moral requirements. A board selects the top candidates for Officer Candidate School, a 17-week course of instruction in leadership, management, navigation, law enforcement and military subjects.

OCS classes are convened periodically throughout the year, depending on the Coast Guard’s needs. OCS graduates are expected to lead enlisted members in the execution of missions.

Salaries for newly commissioned officers range from about $35,000 to nearly $120,000.

Haseley’s work day starts at 7 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m., with much of her time spent aboard domestic vessels, including tourist boats; and foreign ships ranging from tankers to freight vessels. In addition to inspecting ships, the job comes with some paperwork duties and interaction with various personnel.

She rates on-the-job learning as her favorite part of the employment.

Even after two years of inspection work, Haseley said, she continues to learn something new each time she goes out on a vessel. She also has to keep up with a steady flow of new regulations being introduced and implemented.

"There’s a lot to stay on top of because one day you could be inspecting, you know, a sailing catamaran and the next it could be an oil tanker," she said.

Haseley’s required prep for her inspection work included a seven-week course in Virginia where she learned about U.S. and international boating regulations and underwent training in lifesaving, engineering and fire-fighting. She also participated in a weeklong safety course focused on possible shipyard hazards.

In addition to working for the Coast Guard, Haseley said, there are job opportunities in Hawaii for people with marine inspection know-how and experience. A solid working knowledge of safety regulations, for example, could lead to employment with companies tied to tourism or shipping.

"Coming from the Coast Guard in a regulatory stance you have a really keen eye for safety" and for environmental and operational standards for shipping companies, she said.

For now, Haseley intends to hold on to her marine inspector job, a six-year assignment with the Coast Guard’s Honolulu sector.

"I very much enjoy the job I’m doing in the day-to-day and getting to go out and be operational," she said.

"Putting on the coveralls, visiting the vessels, doing the exams and the inspections, I love that part of the job so much."