Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Fire Extinguishers

Extinguishers are classified by a letter and number symbol. The number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher and the letter indicates the type of fire it will extinguish:

Type A extinguishers are for fires of combustible solids like wood.
Type B extinguishers are for fires of flammable liquids like gasoline or oil.
Type C extinguishers are for electrical fires.

All vessels are required to have a Type B fire extinguisher(s) on board if one or more of the following conditions exist:

Inboard or inboard/outboard engines
Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored
Permanently installed fuel tanks
Closed or semi-closed living spaces
Devices on board that consume petroleum products (e.g., stoves, lanterns).

Approved types of fire extinguishers are identified by the following marking on the label—“Marine Type USCG Approved,”—followed by the size and type symbols and the approval number.

Use this chart to determine the type and quantity required for your vessel:

Length of Vessel	Without Fixed System	With Fixed System *
Less than 26 feet	one B-I	None
26 feet to less than 40 feet	two B-I or one B-II	one B-I
40 feet to less than 65 feet	three B-I or one B-II and one B-I	two B-I or one B-II
* Refers to a permanently installed fire extinguisher system

Extinguishers should be placed in an accessible area—not near the engine or in a compartment, but where they can be reached immediately. Be sure you know how to operate them.

Fire extinguishers must be maintained in usable condition. Inspect extinguishers regularly to ensure the following.

Seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing.
Pressure gauges or indicators read in the operable range.
There is no physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzles.

PWC operators need to take special steps in case of fire. Because their fire extinguishers may not be easily accessible, they should simply swim away quickly and use another operator’s extinguisher. They should not open the engine compartment to put out the fire.

Remember—Keep bilges clean and free of trash in order to reduce the risk of fire.

Fire Extinguisher Charge Indicators

Check the charge level of your fire extinguishers regularly. Replace them immediately if they are not fully charged.

To check this style of extinguisher, depress the green button. If it is fully charged, the green button should pop back out immediately.

On this style of fire extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the "full" range.

Fire extinguisher charge indicator: Needle style

Backfire Flame Arrestors

Because boat engines may backfire, all powerboats (except outboards) that are fueled with gasoline must have an approved backfire flame arrestor on each carburetor. Backfire flame arrestors are designed to prevent the ignition of gasoline vapors in case the engine backfires.

Backfire flame arrestors must be:

In good and serviceable condition
U.S. Coast Guard–approved (must comply with SAE J-1928 or UL 1111 standards)

Periodically clean the flame arrestor and check for any damage.

Boat on fire

WARNING: Gasoline vapors can explode. Before starting engine, operate blower for four minutes and check (using your nose) engine compartment for gasoline vapors.

Vessels built after July 31, 1980, which contain power exhaust blowers in gasoline engine compartments, must have the above warning sticker near the instrument panel.

Ventilation Systems

The importance of ventilation is crucial. The purpose of ventilation systems is to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases. Properly installed ventilation systems greatly reduce the chance of a life-threatening explosion.

All gasoline-powered vessels, constructed in a way that would entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the fumes. At least one exhaust duct must extend from the open atmosphere to the lower bilge. At least one intake duct must extend from a point at least midway to the bilge or below the level of the carburetor air intake.
If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes after fueling and before starting your engine.
If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (for example, a personal watercraft), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting the engine.

Boat ventilation

Powerboats are built to ventilate the engine when underway. As the powerboat moves along, an air intake scoops up fresh air and forces it down the air duct into the engine compartment. The exhaust sucks out the explosive fumes from the lowest part of the engine and fuel compartments.

Mufflers and Noise Level Limits

Vessel operators may not hear sound signals or voices if the engine is not adequately muffled.

A vessel's engine must have a muffler or exhaust water manifold for noise reduction or another effective muffling system.
The use of cut-outs or exhaust stacks is prohibited.
It is illegal to operate a powerboat or PWC, or allow others to operate, in such a manner that the noise level exceeds 86 decibels measured at 50 feet from the vessel. You must submit to a noise level test if requested by a law enforcement officer.
It is illegal for recreational boaters to use or have on board a siren of any type while operating on the waters of Alabama.

Vessel Safety Checks

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) of your vessel and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your vessel meets all VSC requirements, you will receive a VSC decal. If your vessel fails to meet all requirements, no report is made to any law enforcement agency.

Vessel safety check decal

Vessel safety check