First of all, and under USCG regulations, you are supposed to carry a fire extinguisher on your vessel if this latter meets ANY of the following conditions:
- Your boat has closed compartments where portable fuel tanks may be stored.
- Your boat has a double bottom NOT completely filled with flotation materials and NOT sealed to the hull (hence somehow accessible).
- Your boat has closed living spaces (basically a cabin).
- Your boat has permanently installed fuel tanks.
- Your boat has one or more inboard engine.
Even though your boat would not meet any of the above, it is yet a good and smart idea to carry a fire extinguisher whatsoever.
Now, if your boat is less than 26 feet (or 7,92 meters), you need one 5B fire extinguisher. Understanding that a 5B fire extinguisher can extinguish 5 square ft. (or 0,5 square meter) of burning flammable liquid (such as gas, petrol, oil, paint).
If your boat is between 26 and 40 ft. long, you’ll need 2 5B extinguishers, or 1 20B.
From 40 to 65 ft., you’ll need 3 5B or 1 20B AND 1 5B.
Over 65 ft., call or email me, federal regulations get complicated and very specific.
Make sure the extinguishers are easy to reach and rigged on their intended bracket.
Note that vessels with a model year between 1953 and 2017 may carry either:
- Unexpired 5-B or 20-B rated fire extinguishers (as described above).
- Or B-I or B-II rated fire extinguishers that are in good and serviceable condition.
Vessel with a model year 2018 and newer may carry only 5-B or 20-B rated fire extinguishers with date stamp.
5B and 20B extinguishers are usually good for 12 years. The regulation above came in effect on April 20, 2022. B1 and B2 extinguishers are being phased out.
Last buit not least, keep I mind you’ll find 2 types of extinguishers: disposable (one time use) or rechargeable, requiring annual servicing by a technician. I advise you to use disposable ones, cheaper in the long run, and – as mentioned – good for 12 years from their manufacturing date.
Kidde is a good brand, get them on Amazon via the links below, by single units or by kit.
