It's the Law: Required Equipment
Includes: Ventilation Systems, Backfire
Flame Arrestors and Mufflers and Noise
Level Limits
Ventilation Systems
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 gasoline-powered vessels, 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 both after fueling
and before starting your engine.
- If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation
system (for example, a personal watercraft), open the
engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before
starting the engine.

Backfire Flame Arrestors
Backfire flame arrestors are designed to prevent the ignition
of gasoline vapors in case the engine backfires. All gasolinepowered
motorboats, except outboards, must have a backfire
flame arrestor on each carburetor that is U.S. Coast Guard–approved or stamped in compliance with SAE J-1928 or
UL 1111 standards.
Mufflers and Noise Level Limits
- Every vessel with an engine must be equipped with a
muffler system in good working order and in constant
operation to prevent excessive noise.
- A vessel must not exceed the following noise levels.
- Measured using a stationary test: for engines manufactured
before January 1, 1994, a noise level of 90
decibels; for engines manufactured on or after January
1, 1994, a noise level of 88 decibels
- Measured from the shoreline: for all vessels, an operational
noise level of 75 decibels
- You may not remove or modify a muffler or muffling
system if the result is increased noise level.
- The use of a muffler cutout or a muffler bypass system
is prohibited, except while engaged in organized racing
events in an area designated for that purpose.
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