It's the Law: Required Equipment
(BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 9.B)

Fire Extinguishers

All vessels are required to have a Type B, U.S. Coast Guard–approved fire extinguisher on board if any of these conditions exist:

Inboard engine
Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored
Double bottoms that are not sealed to the hull or that are not completely filled with flotation material
Closed living spaces
Closed storage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials may be stored
Permanently installed fuel tanks

Use the following chart to determine the size and quantity required for your vessel.

Fire Extinguisher Requirements
Classification type & size	Foam minimum gallons	Carbon Dioxide minimum pounds	Dry Chemical minimum pounds
B-I	1 ¼	4	2
B-II	2 ½	15	10
Length of Vessel	Without Fixed System		With Fixed System*
Less than 26 ft.	one B-I		None
26 ft. to less than 40 ft.	two B-I or one B-II		one B-I
40 ft. to less than 65 ft.	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

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 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, and inspect extinguishers regularly to ensure they are in working condition and fully charged.

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Online boating safety handbook last modified: June 14, 2010
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It's the Law: Required Equipment (BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 9.B)

Fire Extinguishers

It's the Law: Required Equipment
(BAR 18.17.2 NMAC 9.B)