It's the Law: Required Equipment   (BAR 9.2)

Fire Extinguishers

All vessels with any of these characteristics must carry one or more approved fire extinguishers. The required type and quantity depend on the vessel’s length, as given in the chart that follows.

• Inboard engine
• Closed compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks may be stored
• Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which 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 this chart to determine the type and quantity required for your vessel.

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.