By Bob Currie, Vessel Examiner
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08
USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 081-06-08 is based at Coast Guard Station Galveston. The Auxiliary’s vessel examiners perform safety checks on all types of recreational boats. In this discussion of the Vessel Safety Check (VSC), we will discuss the various requirements for fire extinguishers.

Fire Extinguishers

U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers are hand portable, provided with a mounting bracket, and are required on boats where a fire hazard could be expected from the engine or fuel system. Extinguishers are classified by letter and a number symbol. The letter indicates the type of fire the unit is designed to extinguish (Type B, for example, is designed to extinguish flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease fires). The number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher (minimum extinguishing agent weight). They can be identified by the following markings:

1. All boats with closed compartments and compartments under seats where portable fuel tanks can be stored.
2. All boats with double bottoms that are not sealed to the hull or are not completely filled with flotation materials.
3. All boats with closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed.
4. All boats with closed living spaces.
5. All boats with permanently installed fuel tanks. Tanks that require a mechanical means (a wrench or screwdriver, for example) to remove them are considered permanently installed.

Minimum Number of Extinguishers Required:

These are the minimum carriage requirements. Consider the consequences of insufficient fire fighting capabilities and the advantages of carrying extra fire fighting protection. Owners should check extinguishers monthly to ensure that:

1. Seals and tamper indicators are not broken or missing.
2. Pressure gauges or indicators read in the operable range. If there is no gauge or indicator, verify the weight or fullness of the unit. NOTE: CO2 extinguishers do not have gauges.
3. There is no obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzles or discharge hose.

All portable extinguishers must be aboard and should be readily accessible (it is recommended that they be mounted, but not required). Fire extinguishers used on boats must be specifically marked “Marine Type U. S. Coast Guard Approved.” A fixed fire extinguisher system will reduce the required number of portable fire extinguishers by one. Having the appropriate fire fighting equipment on board is only part of being prepared for a fire emergency. The owner should be aware of how to operate their equipment and understand its limitations.

For more information on boating safety, please visit the Official Website of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division at www.uscgboating.org. Questions about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or our free Vessel Safety Check program may be directed to me at [email protected]. I am available to perform free Vessel Safety Checks, and I will come to your location to perform them. SAFE BOATING!

Public Service Note: Coast Guard Station Galveston has put out a request for donations of pyrotechnic devices for use in instructing Sea Scouts on their use. These devices all have expiration dates, and when they are expired they may no longer count as meeting the legal requirements for visual distress signals, although they may be retained for use in an emergency. We are particularly looking for handheld red flares, pistol-launched red parachute flares, handheld rocket propelled red parachute flares, and floating orange smoke visual distress signals. If you would like to donate either expired or within-date pyrotechnic devices, please contact me at my email address, [email protected].

[9-18-2017]