- Joined
- Feb 27, 2009
- Location
- Milan, NY 12571
Fire extinguishers
It's federal law! The law states you need one on every boat over 26' oraboard those less than 26' feet where flammable gases can be entrapped below decks. In general you need to carry an fire extinguisher if... *you have inboard or inboard/outboard engines.
*You have closed compartments where fuel is stored.(this includes
portable fuel tanks)
*You have permanentely installed fuel tanks
*Your boat has a double bottom not sealed to the hull with foam.
*Your boat has enclosed living space.
*The boat has closed compartments where flammables are stored.
In short , pretty much any power boat beyond a jon boat is required to carry an extinguisher. Like everything else required by the feds there are classes of fire extinguishers. There's no need to go over every single one since the type recreational boaters need is the B-I, which can be foam, CO2 , dry chemicals, or inflammable gas, all designed to put out fuel and oil fires.boats up to 26' need one B-I, those 26' to 40' need two B-I and those over 40" need three B-I's. in the larger two classes you can substitute a single larger B-II type, which contains the same fire-quenching substances but more of them.
Just like pfd's fire extinguishers dhould be stored where you can get to them quickly.
Never store them in an aft compartment where fuel and batteries are often found. Any fire is likely to start there and you won't be able to get to your extinguisher for the flames. You should also check them periodiclly, and make sure they are recharged.
Some boats have automatic fire extinguishers, this will work as soon as a heat sensor breaks do to high temperatures in bilge or else where they installed.
Commom-sense safety
Vents and electrical fans- all boats with inboard and inboard/outboard engines are required to have vents and electrical fans to suck flammable gases out of the engine area. most boats are equipped with this, however you have to check them to make sure they work and that the hoses are located at the bottom of bilge since there's the place where fumes are most likely to gather. on inboard/ outboard engines you should run fan for couple minutes before starting engine.
Sound signals- boats to 39.4' must have some sort of sound signal aboard. 39.4' and above must have sound signal capable of been head 1/2 mile and have ship's bell as well.
Arreting flame development- all inboard/outboards have a backfire flame arrester atop the air intake. this blocks any ignited gases that "backfire" from inside firing chamber. DO NOT try to improve performance by removing it, it's both dangerous and makes your boat illegal.
Visual distress- boats over 16' are required to carry visual distress signals to let other vessels know when immediate help is needed. Look at it as a back up to your radio. Most basic signal is a orange flag with black square and disc. orange smoke is also acceptable, as are red flares. A problem with the smoke and flares type signal is that they may not function if they get wet. And all expired within 42 months after manufactures date stamped on the devices. Are those dates they no longer legally fulfill the requirement. they are much more visible than a flag at a distance. expired fares still work after expired date, and it's a good idea to still keep them.
numbers and licenses- All states require to have a number and a current licence. number is permanent so long it is registed in same state but licenbce needs to be renewed every 12 months.
Good to have- electrical bilge pump, manual bilge pump,anchor and line, bailing bucket etc. Smaller boats should have second means of propulsion, up to class one and some states required it.This can be oars, push pole, little kicker motor or an electrical trolling motor.
Safety to the Max- Peace of mind is a waterproof strobe light that pins to pfd. EPIRBs, this can send signals up to 300 miles and even if other boats don't pick up signal sometimes passing airliners will.
The least you should know:
* The most basic gear on any boat is a pfd for every person, don't leave dock without it.
* Fire afloat is rare but a good extinguisher, regularly recharged is insurance you must have.
* Gear to creat sound, vent engine compartments and signaldistress is also required in every state.
* boats in U.S. waters must be numbered and licenced, with the licence renewed early.
* Other gear that's good to have ( but not required) includes and electrical bilge pump, oars, or spare motor and have a waterproof strobe light. Emergency rations and extra water should also be standard issue.
It's federal law! The law states you need one on every boat over 26' oraboard those less than 26' feet where flammable gases can be entrapped below decks. In general you need to carry an fire extinguisher if... *you have inboard or inboard/outboard engines.
*You have closed compartments where fuel is stored.(this includes
portable fuel tanks)
*You have permanentely installed fuel tanks
*Your boat has a double bottom not sealed to the hull with foam.
*Your boat has enclosed living space.
*The boat has closed compartments where flammables are stored.
In short , pretty much any power boat beyond a jon boat is required to carry an extinguisher. Like everything else required by the feds there are classes of fire extinguishers. There's no need to go over every single one since the type recreational boaters need is the B-I, which can be foam, CO2 , dry chemicals, or inflammable gas, all designed to put out fuel and oil fires.boats up to 26' need one B-I, those 26' to 40' need two B-I and those over 40" need three B-I's. in the larger two classes you can substitute a single larger B-II type, which contains the same fire-quenching substances but more of them.
Just like pfd's fire extinguishers dhould be stored where you can get to them quickly.
Never store them in an aft compartment where fuel and batteries are often found. Any fire is likely to start there and you won't be able to get to your extinguisher for the flames. You should also check them periodiclly, and make sure they are recharged.
Some boats have automatic fire extinguishers, this will work as soon as a heat sensor breaks do to high temperatures in bilge or else where they installed.
Commom-sense safety
Vents and electrical fans- all boats with inboard and inboard/outboard engines are required to have vents and electrical fans to suck flammable gases out of the engine area. most boats are equipped with this, however you have to check them to make sure they work and that the hoses are located at the bottom of bilge since there's the place where fumes are most likely to gather. on inboard/ outboard engines you should run fan for couple minutes before starting engine.
Sound signals- boats to 39.4' must have some sort of sound signal aboard. 39.4' and above must have sound signal capable of been head 1/2 mile and have ship's bell as well.
Arreting flame development- all inboard/outboards have a backfire flame arrester atop the air intake. this blocks any ignited gases that "backfire" from inside firing chamber. DO NOT try to improve performance by removing it, it's both dangerous and makes your boat illegal.
Visual distress- boats over 16' are required to carry visual distress signals to let other vessels know when immediate help is needed. Look at it as a back up to your radio. Most basic signal is a orange flag with black square and disc. orange smoke is also acceptable, as are red flares. A problem with the smoke and flares type signal is that they may not function if they get wet. And all expired within 42 months after manufactures date stamped on the devices. Are those dates they no longer legally fulfill the requirement. they are much more visible than a flag at a distance. expired fares still work after expired date, and it's a good idea to still keep them.
numbers and licenses- All states require to have a number and a current licence. number is permanent so long it is registed in same state but licenbce needs to be renewed every 12 months.
Good to have- electrical bilge pump, manual bilge pump,anchor and line, bailing bucket etc. Smaller boats should have second means of propulsion, up to class one and some states required it.This can be oars, push pole, little kicker motor or an electrical trolling motor.
Safety to the Max- Peace of mind is a waterproof strobe light that pins to pfd. EPIRBs, this can send signals up to 300 miles and even if other boats don't pick up signal sometimes passing airliners will.
The least you should know:
* The most basic gear on any boat is a pfd for every person, don't leave dock without it.
* Fire afloat is rare but a good extinguisher, regularly recharged is insurance you must have.
* Gear to creat sound, vent engine compartments and signaldistress is also required in every state.
* boats in U.S. waters must be numbered and licenced, with the licence renewed early.
* Other gear that's good to have ( but not required) includes and electrical bilge pump, oars, or spare motor and have a waterproof strobe light. Emergency rations and extra water should also be standard issue.