Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Fire Extinguishers

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

All vessels are required to have a Type B, U.S. Coast Guard–approved fire extinguisher(s) on board if one or more of the following conditions exist:

• Closed storage compartments in which flammable or combustible materials may be stored
• Closed living spaces
• Permanently installed fuel tanks (any tank where the removal of the tank is hampered by the installation of tie-down straps or clamps)
• Flammable or toxic fluids are on board.

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 of fire extinguishers required for your vessel.

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.

• Extinguishers should be serviced at least every two years. See the label for additional servicing information.
• 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.

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.

Backfire Flame Arrestors

Because vessel engines may backfire, all motorboats (except outboards) fueled with gasoline must have an approved backfire flame arrestor on each carburetor. They 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.

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 gas-powered motorboats, constructed in a way that would entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the fumes.
• If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes after fueling, prior to starting your engine.
• If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (such as personal watercraft), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting the engine.

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 placed near the instrument panel.

Powerboats are built to ventilate the engine when underway. As the boat 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

Excessive noise can prevent a vessel operator from hearing signals and voices. A motorboat’s engine must have a factory-installed muffler or exhaust water manifold for noise reduction or another effective muffling system.

• In waters of the Mississippi River, Missouri River, and lakes with a shoreline in excess of 160 miles:
  • Motorboats built January 1, 1996, or later must not exceed a noise level of 90 dBA when at idle speed and measured from a distance of 3 feet.
  • All motorboats must not exceed a noise level of 86 dBA when measured from a distance of 50 feet.
• You may not remove or modify a muffler or muffling system if the result is increased noise level.
• If the exhaust system uses water for muffling, it must comply with the noise level restrictions.

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.