1. A. Motorboats.

   1. 1. All motorboats shall carry at least the minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers set forth in the following table, except that motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry such portable fire extinguishers if the construction of such motorboats will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.

      Length, feet	Minimum number of 5-B hand-portable fire extinguishers required1
      No fixed fire extinguishing systems in machinery space	Fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space
      Under 16	1	0
      16 to less than 26	1	0
      26 to less than 40	2	1
      40 to 65	3	2

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

   2. 2. Fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the following conditions exist:

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

   3. 3. The following conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried:

      1. a. Bait wells.
      2. b. Glove compartments.
      3. c. Buoyant flotation material.
      4. d. Open slatted flooring.
      5. e. Ice chests.

2. B. Motorboats greater than 65 feet in length.

   1. 1. All motorboats greater than 65 feet in length shall carry at least the minimum number of hand-portable fire extinguishers set forth in the following table:

      Gross tonnage	Minimum number of 20-B hand-portable fire extinguishers
      Over	Not over
      	50	2
      50	100	2
      100	500	3
      500	1000	6
      1000		8

   2. 2. In addition to the hand-portable fire extinguishers required by subdivision 1 of this subsection, the following fire-extinguishing equipment shall be fitted in the machinery space:

      1. a. One Type 20-B hand-portable fire extinguisher shall be carried for each 1,000 B.H.P. of the main engines or fraction thereof. However, not more than six such extinguishers need be carried.
      2. b. On motorboats of over 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semiportable fire-extinguishing system shall be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system shall be fitted in the machinery space.
   3. 3. The frame or support of each Type 160-B fire extinguisher required by subdivision 2 b of this subsection must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a bulkhead or deck.
   4. 4. If an approved semiportable fire extinguisher has wheels and is not required by this section, it must be securely stowed when not in use to prevent it from rolling out of control under heavy sea conditions.

3. C. Barges carrying passengers.

   1. 1. Every barge of 65 feet in length or less while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat shall be fitted with hand-portable fire extinguishers as required by the table in subsection B of this section, depending upon the length of the barge.
   2. 2. Every barge of over 65 feet in length while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat shall be fitted with hand-portable fire extinguishers as required by the table in subsection B of this section, depending upon the gross tonnage of the barge.

Statutory Authority

§§ 29.1-501, 29.1-502, 29.1-701, and 29.1-735 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 19, Issue 5, eff. January 1, 2003; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 9, eff. January 1, 2023.