Attention Boaters New Fire Extinguisher Regulations For 2022

The Coast Guard is amending portable fire extinguishing equipment requirements for recreational vessels that are propelled or controlled by propulsion machinery

The fun part is trying to figure out how or if this applies to you and your boat’s current fire extinguisher. The Boat US Foundation broke it down very well.
“Effective April 20th, 2022 … The Coast Guard is amending fire extinguishing equipment regulations for recreational vessels that are propelled or controlled by propulsion machinery. This rule relieves owners of these recreational vessels from certain inspection, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements that are more suited for commercial vessels. To make it easier to find these regulations, this rule also relocates the regulations to another part of the Code of Federal Regulations.”

If you own a boat that is model year 2018 or newer, you may need to replace your fire extinguishers. In addition to meeting the carriage requirements for the correct number of extinguishers for the size of your boat, they must be labeled as 5-B, 10-B or 20-B, extinguishers labeled with B-I or B-II only are no longer acceptable.

Extinguishers must not be more than 12 years old according to the date of manufacture stamped on the bottle

You only have to get new ones if they are no longer serviceable. Good serviceable conditions are as follows:
– If the extinguisher has a pressure gauge reading or indicator it must be in the operable range or position
– The lock pin is firmly in place
– The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction
– The extinguisher does not show visible signs of significant corrosion or damage.

If you own a boat that is 2017 model year or older (between 1953-2017):
You may keep your extinguishers labeled B-I and B-II as long as they are still serviceable, but If there is a date stamped on the bottle, extinguishers must not be more than 12 years old according to that date.

Federal Register … Fire Protection for Recreational Vessels

Boat US Foundation Fire Extinguisher Regulation update update

USCG FIRE EXTINGUISHERS REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RECREATIONAL BOATER FAQ