Ventilation System Requirements

Vessels must be equipped with at least two bilge ventilators, fitted with cowls and designed and constructed to permit the safe diffusion into the air of all inflammable or explosive gases if one of these requirements are met.

Vessels must be equipped with an inboard motor that uses motor fuel having a flash point of not more than 110° Fahrenheit or the greater part of the bilge of a motorboat that is not at all times open and exposed to the air.

• If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes in either of these situations:
  • After fueling
  • Before starting the engine
• If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (for example, a PWC), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting the engine.

Vessels built after July 31, 1980, that contain power exhaust blowers in gasoline engine compartments must have a warning sticker like the one below placed near the instrument panel.