This following information comes from Paul Barnard with U.S. Coast Guard Heartland Safe Boating.
Most of us are familiar with the old fire extinguisher “Type” language. “Type B:C Size I,” for example. Extinguishers of current manufacture will add “Classification 10:B or 10:B-C” (Image 4) as an example, to the label. They retain the “Type” language as well. Model year 2018 and newer boats must have extinguishers with the “Classification” language on the label. Boats manufactured prior to 2018 may still use the “Type” only extinguishers, provided that they are not expired or are current on service/inspection, and they are in good and serviceable condition. As a note, there are very few of the “Type” only extinguishers still in service.
The number 10 above refers to the size of the extinguisher, and the letters B and C refer to the class of fire the extinguisher is designed to extinguish. By running an internet search on “Classes of fires A, B, C” you can learn more about that.
Here’s some good news! If your boat was previously required to carry an extinguisher or extinguishers, it still is. The number of required fire extinguishers hasn’t changed either.
That’s the short and simple of it. If you are still in doubt about whether you are in compliance with the new regulations, here are a couple of things you can do:
*Read the FAQ’s here: Fire Extinguishers Requirements for the Recreational Boater FAQ (uscgboating.org)
If you have an old extinguisher that you aren’t sure about, don’t be afraid to use it for training. Remember PASS. Pull the pin, Aim, Squeeze the handle and Sweep at the base of the fire. You’ll probably want to buy a new one before you use the old one for training.
When you go to the store to buy a new one, please know what you are buying. Take it out of the box and look. Read the label. Check the gauge too. I bought one a few years back that gauge showed as discharged! Rechargeable/Serviceable extinguishers (the ones that don’t have a date on the bottom and have “After Use: Recharge” on the label) will require annual service/inspection at an NFPA certified technician. That service will cost about what it costs to buy a new extinguisher. A disposable extinguisher need only be inspected by the boater to ensure it’s not expired, and in good and serviceable condition. We recommend that boaters do this prior to each trip.
Thanks to Sherrie, we will always remember safe boating is no accident! Pre-planning before even making it to the water’s edge can help you have a great day on the water.
If you would like to learn more about vessel safety checks, please contact Steve Hults, Staff Officer for Vessel Examinations at steve.hults@uscgaux.net.
Please contact us for more information about our safe boating classes or learning more about getting involved in the Auxiliary, check out our website at www.uscgaux.net follow us on FaceBook @ Apalachee Bay Flotilla 12 or contact our Flotilla Commander Phil Hill at pnkkhill2000@yahoo.com.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org.
