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EQUIPMENT
Fire Extinguisher – A fire extinguisher is required on:
• any inboard or inboard/outboard vessel
• any outboard vessel with closed compartments, closed living spaces or permanently
installed fuel tanks
• any airboat
NOTE: Fire extinguishers are not required for outboard motorboats less than 26 feet in
length that are made of open construction and do not carry passengers for hire.
Fire extinguishers must be carried according to the following guidelines:
• Classes 1 and 2 – one U.S. Coast Guard- approved type B- I fire extinguisher
• Class 3 – two U.S. Coast Guard- approved B -I or one B- II fire extinguisher
• Class 4 – three U.S. Coast Guard- approved B- I or one B- I and one B- II fire
extinguishers
Oars/Paddles – Every vessel, except personal watercraft, sailboards or similar devices
and classes 3 or 4 motorboats, shall carry an oar or paddle.
Bailing Bucket – Every vessel, except personal watercraft, sailboards or similar devices,
shall be equipped with a bailing bucket, efficient bilge pump or sponge.
Muffler – Exhaust of all internal combustion engines used on motorboats shall be
effectively muffled. It shall be unlawful to operate any motorboat that exceeds a noise
level of 96 decibels when measured at 100 feet when the motorboat is on plane.
Whistle or Bell – Every vessel of classes 1, 2, 3, and 4 shall have a whistle or other
mechanical sound producing device. Every mechanically powered boat of Class 4 shall be
equipped with a bell.
Flame Arrestor – Every motorboat with an inboard motor using gasoline shall have the
carburetor equipped with an efficient flame arrestor or similar device that meets U.S.
Coast Guard approval.
Ventilation – Every motorboat using gas, except those of open construction, shall have a
prescribed venting system for bilges and the fuel tank compartment.
Enjoy Boating the Safe Way
Take a Safe Boating Course from
the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
or the U.S. Power Squadron.
1-800-395-2628 / cgaux.org or usps.org
