1. (a) Vessel 65 feet or less in length. A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in Table 2.

   1. (1) Exceptions: A vessel of any of the following types is not required to carry a fire extinguisher:

      1. (A) Less than 26 feet in length, not carrying passengers for hire, propelled by an outboard motor, without permanently installed fuel tanks, and of a construction which will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gasses or vapors.

   TABLE 2

   Minimum number of type 5-B portable fire extinguishers required¹

   Size of boat

   Length, feet

   Without fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space

   With fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space

   Under 16

   1

   0

   16 and over, but under 26

   1

   0

   26 and over, but under 40

   2

   1

   40 and over, but not over 65

   3

   2

   1 One type 20-B hand-portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two type 5-B hand-portable fire extinguishers.

2. (b) Conditions requiring fire extinguishers:

   1. (1) Closed compartment under thwarts and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored.
   2. (2) Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material.
   3. (3) Closed living spaces.
   4. (4) Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed.
   5. (5) Permanently installed fuel tanks.

3. (c) Conditions that do not in themselves require Fire Extinguishers:

   1. (1) Bait wells
   2. (2) Glove compartments
   3. (3) Buoyant flotation material
   4. (4) Open slatted flooring.
   5. (5) Ice chests

4. (b) All portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers must --

   1. (1) Be on board and readily accessible;
   2. (2) Be of an approved type;
   3. (3) Not be expired or appear to have been previously used; and

   4. (4) Be maintained in good and serviceable working condition, meaning:

      1. (i) If the extinguisher has a pressure gauge reading or indicator it must be in the operable range or position;
      2. (ii) The lock pin is firmly in place;
      3. (iii) The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction; and
      4. (iv) The extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage.
5. (c) Vaporizing-liquid type fire extinguishers containing carbon tetrachloride, chlorobromomethane, or other toxic vaporizing liquids, are not acceptable as equipment required by this subpart.
6. (d) Portable or semi-portable extinguishers that are required by their name plates to be protected from freezing must not be located where freezing temperatures may be expected.

7. (e) The use of dry chemical stored pressure fire extinguishers not fitted with pressure gauges or indicating devices, manufactured prior to January 1, 1965, is permitted on board recreational vessels if such extinguishers are maintained in good and serviceable condition. The following maintenance and inspections are required for such extinguishers:

   1. (1) When the date on the inspection record tag on the extinguishers shows that 6 months have elapsed since the last weight check ashore, then such extinguishers are no longer accepted as meeting required maintenance conditions until they are reweighed ashore, found to be in a serviceable condition, and within required weight conditions.
   2. (2) If the weight of the container is 1/4 ounce less than that stamped on the container, it must be serviced.
   3. (3) If the outer seal or seals (which indicate tampering or use when broken) are not intact, the boarding officer or marine inspector will inspect such extinguishers to see that the frangible disc in the neck of the container is intact; and, if such disc is not intact, the container must be serviced.
   4. (4) If there is evidence of damage, use, or leakage, such as dry chemical powder observed in the nozzle or elsewhere on the extinguisher, the extinguisher must be serviced or replaced.
8. (f) Dry chemical extinguishers, stored pressure extinguishers, and fire extinguishers without pressure gauges or indicating devices, manufactured after January 1, 1965, cannot be labeled with the marine type label described in 46 CFR 162.028-4, incorporated by reference. These extinguishers may be carried onboard recreational vessels as excess equipment, subject to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section.
9. (g) Semi-portable extinguishers must be fitted with a suitable hose and nozzle, or other practicable means, so that all portions of the space concerned may be covered.

10. (h) Vessel Propelled by Machinery Over Sixty-Five Feet in Length. A vessel propelled by machinery over 65 feet in length shall carry at least the minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers set forth in Table 3 and in addition shall carry:

    1. (1) One type 20-B hand-portable fire extinguisher for each 1,000 Brake horsepower (B.H.P.) of the main engine or fraction thereof. However, not more than six such extinguishers are required to be carried.
    2. (2) On vessels propelled by machinery over 65 feet in length and over 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semi-portable fire extinguishing system shall be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system shall be fitted in the machinery space.

11. (i) Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used to meet the requirements of Table 2 and table 3.

    TABLE 3

    Gross tonnage

    Minimum number of 20-B portable fire extinguishers

    Over

    Not over

    --

    50

    1

    50

    100

    2

    100

    500

    3

    500

    1,000

    6

    1,000

    --

    8

12. (j) Barge Carrying Passengers.

    1. (1) 65 Feet in Length or Less. A barge 65 feet in length or less, which is regularly operated with a boat propelled by machinery, shall be fitted with hand-portable fire extinguishers as required by Table 2 depending upon the length of the barge.
    2. (2) Over 65 Feet in Length. A barge of over 65 feet in length, which is regularly operated with a boat propelled by machinery, shall be fitted with hand-portable fire extinguishers as required by Table 3, depending upon the gross tonnage of the barge.

13. (k) Condition and number of fire extinguishers required for recreational vessels built model year 2017 or earlier.

    1. (1) Previously installed extinguishers with extinguishing capacities that are less than what is required in Table 2 or Table 3 need not be replaced but must be maintained in good condition.
    2. (2) All extinguishers installed after August 22, 2016, must meet the applicable requirements of Table 2 or Table 3.

    Vessels with a model year between 1953 and 2017 must meet the following requirements:

14. (l) Vessels constructed prior to August 22, 2016, will be deemed built before model year 2017 and must meet the requirements of 33 CFR § 175.380, incorporated by reference.
15. (m) Vessels constructed prior to November 19, 1952, will be deemed built before model year 1953 and must meet the requirements of 33 CFR § 175.390, incorporated by reference.
16. (n) A vessel built before model year 1953 must meet the applicable number and general type of equipment provisions of §§ 175.305 through 175.320, incorporated by reference. Existing items of equipment and installations previously approved but not meeting the applicable requirements for type approval may be continued in service provided they are in good condition. All new installations and replacements must meet the requirements of §§ 175.305 through 175.320, incorporated by reference.

Note: Authority cited: Section 652, Harbors and Navigation Code. Reference: Section 652, Harbors and Navigation Code.

History

1. Amendment filed 10-13-72; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 72, No. 42).

2. Amendment filed 1-18-77; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 77, No. 4).

3. Repealer of subsection (a)(1)(B) filed 10-31-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 45).

4. Editorial correction of Note filed 10-11-85 (Register 85, No. 41).

5. Amendment of section heading and section filed 1-16-2026; operative 1-16-2026 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(3) (Register 2026, No. 3).