Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Required Equipment

Fire Extinguishers (ORC 1547.27)

No person shall operate or permit to be operated any powercraft that does not meet the fire extinguisher requirement. Powercraft exempted from this requirement are those:

• Propelled by electric motors
• Less than 26 feet in length, powered by an outboard motor, of “open construction,” and not carrying passengers for hire

Fire extinguishers on powercraft must:

• Meet or exceed U.S. Coast Guard standards
• Be capable of extinguishing a gasoline fire (Type B)
• Be readily accessible—not near the engine or in a compartment, but away from the fuel source and where they can be reached immediately
• Be in condition to be ready for immediate and effective use

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 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.

Extinguishers must be operable and placed in an accessible area where they can be reached immediately. They should not be stored near the engine or in a compartment. 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.

Many vessels have burned to the water line needlessly. If a fire breaks out, use a fire extinguisher immediately.

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 Arrestor (ORC 1547.28)

Ventilation Requirements (ORC 1547.29)

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.

If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn the blower on for at least four minutes prior to starting your engine, especially after fueling.

Powercraft using gasoline or other liquid fuel having a flashpoint of less than 110° Fahrenheit shall be provided with ventilation as follows.

• The powercraft must have:
  • At least two ventilators fitted with cowls or their equivalent for the purpose of properly and efficiently ventilating the bilges of every engine and fuel tank compartment in order to remove any inflammable or explosive gases or …
  • Any type of ventilating system approved for use by the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Ventilation is not required if the greater portion of the bilges of the engine and fuel tank compartment is open to the natural atmosphere.

WARNING:
Gasoline vapors can explode. Before starting an engine, operate the blower for four minutes and sniff the engine compartment to check for the odor of gasoline.

Vessels built after July 31, 1980, which contain power exhaust blowers in gasoline engine compartments, must have the above warning decal 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. Be careful not to block air intakes and outlets.

Exhaust Muffler Required (ORC 1547.31)

Every powercraft shall be equipped with a muffler or muffler system that is in good working order, in constant operation, and effectively installed to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

No person shall operate or give permission to operate a powercraft in a manner to exceed the following noise levels:

• 90 decibels on the “A” scale in a stationary sound level test prescribed by SAE J2005 (measured from one meter with engine at low idle speed when at dock or tied to another boat)
• 75 decibels on the “A” scale measured as specified by SAE J1970 (measured from shoreline with boat in any level of operation, not less than 200 feet away)

No person shall remove, alter, or modify a muffler in a way that prevents compliance with this section. No person shall operate or allow to be operated a powercraft with an altered muffler or muffler cutout or in a manner that bypasses or reduces the effectiveness of any muffler system.

Vessel Safety Checks

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, local marine patrol officers, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft will perform a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) of your boat and equipment free of charge. This inspection covers federal and state requirements. If your boat meets all VSC requirements, you will receive a VSC decal.