Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-15-7-3; IC 14-15-7-5

Affected: IC 14

Sec. 5.1. (a) A boat that uses gasoline for electrical generation, mechanical power, or propulsion must be equipped with a ventilation system. Each system must meet the standards of 33 CFR Part 183, Subpart K (Ventilation), and as follows:

1. (1) A natural ventilation system must provide for a supply opening (duct or cowl) that is located:

   1. (A) on the exterior surface of the boat;
   2. (B) in a ventilated compartment; or
   3. (C) in a compartment that is open to the atmosphere.

2. (2) A natural ventilation system must be provided for each compartment in a boat that:

   1. (A) contains a permanently installed gasoline engine;
   2. (B) has openings between it and a compartment that requires ventilation;
   3. (C) contains a permanently installed fuel tank and an electrical component that is not ignition-protected;
   4. (D) contains a fuel tank that vents into that compartment (including a portable tank); or
   5. (E) contains a nonmetallic fuel tank.
3. (3) An exhaust opening or exhaust duct must originate in the lower one-third (1/3) of the compartment. Each supply opening or supply duct and each exhaust opening or duct in a compartment must be above the normal accumulation of bilge water.

4. (4) A powered ventilation system, as follows, must be provided for each compartment in a boat that has a permanently installed gasoline engine with a cranking motor for remote starting:

   1. (A) A powered ventilation system consists of one (1) or more exhaust blowers.
   2. (B) Each intake duct for an exhaust blower must be in the lower one-third (1/3) of the compartment and above the normal accumulation of bilge water.

(b) A boat that is required to have an exhaust blower must have a label that is located as close as practicable to each ignition switch, is in plain view of the operator, and has at least the following information: WARNING–GASOLINE VAPORS CAN EXPLODE. BEFORE STARTING ENGINE, OPERATE BLOWER FOR 4 MINUTES AND CHECK ENGINE COMPARTMENT BILGE FOR GASOLINE VAPORS.

(c) The ventilation system must be kept in good operating condition. Openings must be free of obstructions. Ducts must not be blocked or torn. Blowers must operate properly. Worn components must be replaced with equivalent marine-type equipment.

(Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 5-14-5.1; filed Jan 5, 2005, 11:05 a.m.: 28 IR 1462; readopted filed May 29, 2008, 1:53 p.m.: 20080625-IR-312080057RFA; errata filed Jun 2, 2009, 10:29 a.m.: 20090624-IR-312090386ACA; readopted filed Jul 17, 2014, 3:46 p.m.: 20140813-IR-312140067RFA; readopted filed Sep 16, 2020, 8:15 a.m.: 20201014-IR- 312200355RFA)