It's the Law: Required Equipment

Fire Extinguishers

• 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 type and size symbols and the approval number.
• Extinguishers must be mounted in an accessible area. Check extinguishers annually to make sure they are charged, and be sure you know how to operate them.

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

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 fired extinguisher, the needle indicator should be in the "full" range.