flares, could be used to attract attention, ei- In practice, most boats with any type of fuel
ther day or night. Do not waste your limited aboard need to carry at least one fire extin-
supply of flares; do not launch one unless guisher. Most boaters will want to carry several.
you are sure that there is someone to see it, Extinguishers are classified by a letter and
or when attempting to attract the attention number symbol. The letter indicates the type
of a sighted vessel or low-flying aircraft. of fire the unit is designed to extinguish.
Handheld flares or orange smoke could be (Type B, for example, is designed to extin-
useful in directing rescue vessels to your lo- guish flammable liquids such as gasoline,
cation. Orange smoke is particularly useful oil, and grease.) The number indicates the
in attracting aircraft during daylight hours. relative size of the extinguisher (minimum
Great care should always be taken with any extinguishing agent weight).
pyrotechnic signal. These devices produce Coast Guard approved extinguishers are
a very hot flame, and the ash and slag can hand-portable, either B-I or B-II classification,
cause injury or ignite flammable material. and have a specific marine mounting bracket.
Handheld flares are particularly notorious Extinguishers should be readily accessible.
for dropping red-hot slag. If possible, put
on leather gloves before igniting handheld Class Foam Dry CO2 Chemical Halon
flares. Always point the devices away from gals lbs lbs lbs
the vessel and downwind. The Coast Guard B-I 1.25 4 2 2.5
recommends firing flares at an angle of B-II 2.5 15 10 10
about 60 degrees above the horizon in calm
winds. As the wind increases, you may fire All extinguishers must be periodically in-
the flare closer to the vertical. Never fire the spected to make sure they are fully charged
nt
device straight up, and watch out for masts and all seals are secure. Pressure gauges
me
and rigging overhead. Look away from the should be in the operable range. Weigh ex-
device before firing. tinguishers annually to be sure that the mini-
When pyrotechnic devices reach their ex- mum weight is as stated on the extinguisher
piration date, they may no longer be used to label. Generally, any use of an extinguisher
meet the Coast Guard requirements. Most means it should be replaced or recharged.
boaters keep these expired devices as back- Halon units are no longer produced and
ups to their fresh supply. If expired flares are must be inspected and tagged frequently. USCG Equip
removed from the boat, make sure that they Their pressure gauges are not accurate indi-
are disposed of properly. Turn them over to cators of the state of charge.
the fire department, police, boating officials Boats less than 26 feet long must have one
or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Never “test type of B-I extinguisher.
fire” flares from a boat without the express Boats 26 feet to less than 40 feet long must
permission of the Coast Guard; regulations have at least two B-I extinguishers or one
ules
expressly forbid the display of flares except B-II. With an approved fixed system (non-
R
when assistance is needed. portable, automatic extinguishers), only one
Fire Extinguishers
additional B-I type need be carried.
Boats 40 feet to 65 feet long must carry at
Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers
least three B-I extinguishers or one B-II and
are required on boats where the following
one B-I. If an approved fixed system is in-
conditions exist:
stalled, two B-I types, or one B-II, will meet
(a) Inboard engines are used;
the portable extinguisher requirement.
(b) Fuel is stored in closed compartments;
(c) Portable fuel tanks are stored in closed
Ventilation
compartments; All boats that use gasoline for electrical gen-
(d) Boats with double bottoms not sealed or eration, mechanical power or propulsion are
filled with flotation material; required to be equipped with a ventilation
(e) Closed living spaces; system. A natural ventilation system is re-
(f) Flammable materials stowed in closed quired for each compartment in a boat that:
compartments; s CONTAINSAPERMANENTLYINSTALLEDGASOLINE
(g) Permanent fuel tanks, or portable tanks engine;
that can’t be lifted by those aboard.
867