NSBC BoatBeat Blog: Carriage of Fire Extinguishers

Photo Credit: National Safe Boating Council

The U.S. Coast Guard requires recreational boats to carry a certain number of fire extinguishers when one or more of the following conditions exist:

  1. Closed compartments where portable fuels tanks may be stored
  2. Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or not completely filled with floatation material
  3. Enclosed living spaces
  4. Closed stowage compartments where combustible or flammable materials are stored
  5. Permanently installed fuel tanks

All extinguishers must be Coast Guard approved marine type extinguishers, and have a UL rating of 5-B or higher, which can be found on their label. Vessels up to 65’ long must carry a minimum number of extinguishers based on their length and whether or not they have a fixed fire extinguishing system (e.g. pre-engineered) installed in their machinery space:

Less than 26′:

  • Must have at least one (1) 5-B fire extinguisher on board; zero (0) if fixed fire extinguishing system installed.

26’ to 40’:

  • Must have at least two (2) 5-B fire extinguishers on board; one (1) if fixed fire extinguishing system installed.

40’ to 65’:

  • Must have at least three (3) 5-B fire extinguishers on board; two (2) if fixed fire extinguishing system installed.

65’ and greater:

  • Must carry a minimum number of fire extinguishers based on their gross tonnage (a volumetric measurement). See 46 CFR 25.30-20(c) for further details.

A boater may replace two (2) 5-B extinguishers with one (1) 20-B extinguisher, or replace any 5-B extinguisher with a Coast Guard approved fixed fire extinguishing system.

At least once a month a boater should ensure their fire extinguishers are in an accessible location on their boat, display a good operating pressure, and have been maintained to any additional manufacturer recommendations.

Many boaters have never used a fire extinguisher, so it’s important to take the time to read the directions before it is needed in the event of a fire.

More Information

Boating Safety Tips

Carbon Monoxide

Download PDF

Related Content

American Whitewater Toolbox

An Open Source Signage Toolbox from American Whitewater

American Whitewater is proud to announce the release of our new turn-key toolbox for developing river signs! We’re all about open-source, river information sharing and this is the motivation and rationale behind our Open-source Signage Toolbox. The first of its kind in the river community, the Toolbox houses a database of templates for safety messaging […]

Read More

Recreational Boating Statistics 2021

An annual compilation of recreational boating statistics in the United States, compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard using data supplied by the U.S. states and territories. Recreational Boating Statistics 2020 was released on June 30, 2021. New reports are published in early summer using certified data from the previous year.

Read More
Emergency Boarding Ladder

3 Boating Safety Tips Just Right for Fall Boating

Annapolis, Md., Sept. 07, 2022 – Fall boating season has arrived, and with it come different types of risks that cold water and air temperatures bring. Here are three boating safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just right for leaf peeping season. A float plan is needed: A float […]

Read More