46 CFR 142.230: Portable fire extinguishers on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section sets the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers a towing vessel must carry. The number depends on whether the vessel is 65 feet or less or more than 65 feet in length. It also covers engine room extinguishers and how wheeled semi-portable extinguishers must be secured.
Applies toTowing vessels, with different requirements for those of 65 feet or less in length and those of more than 65 feet in length.
What it says
Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(a).
46 CFR 142.230(a)“Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(a).”
Towing vessels of more than 65 feet in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(b).
46 CFR 142.230(b)(1)“At least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(b); and”
Towing vessels of more than 65 feet in length must also carry one 40-B portable fire extinguisher fitted in the engine room for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction thereof.
46 CFR 142.230(b)(2)“One 40-B portable fire extinguisher fitted in the engine room for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction thereof.”
A towing vessel is not required to carry more than six additional 40-B portable fire extinguishers in the engine room for this purpose, regardless of horsepower.
46 CFR 142.230(b)(2)“A towing vessel is not required to carry more than six additional 40-B portable fire extinguishers in the engine room for this purpose, regardless of horsepower.”
The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.
46 CFR 142.230(c)“The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.”
Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if they meet the minimum requirements of this section.
46 CFR 142.230(d)“Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the minimum requirements of this section.”
Common questions
Can I use a 40-B:C extinguisher instead of 10-B:C extinguishers on a small towing vessel?
Yes. Under the note to table 142.230(a), one 40-B:C portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 10-B:C portable fire extinguishers.
“One 40-B:C portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 10-B:C portable fire extinguishers.”
How many extra engine room extinguishers does a towing vessel over 65 feet need?
It must have one 40-B portable fire extinguisher in the engine room for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction thereof. It need not carry more than six additional ones for this purpose.
“A towing vessel is not required to carry more than six additional 40-B portable fire extinguishers in the engine room for this purpose, regardless of horsepower.”
How must a wheeled semi-portable fire extinguisher be secured?
Its frame or support must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck. This prevents it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.
“must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.”
Where do I look for towing vessels under 26 feet?
The note to table 142.230(a) says to see § 136.105 of this subchapter concerning vessels under 26 feet.
“See § 136.105 of this subchapter concerning vessels under 26 feet.”
The text of 46 CFR 142.230
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Portable fire extinguishers and semi-portable fire-extinguishing systems
(a) Towing vessels of 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(a).
Table 142.230(a)—10-B:C Portable Fire Extinguishers Length, feet Minimum number of 10-B:C portable fire extinguishers required 1 No fixed fire-extinguishing system in machinery space Fixed fire- extinguishing system in machinery space Under 26 2 1 0 26 and over, but under 40 2 1 40 and over, but not over 65 3 2 1 One 40-B:C portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 10-B:C portable fire extinguishers. 2 See § 136.105 of this subchapter concerning vessels under 26 feet.
(b) Towing vessels of more than 65 feet in length must carry—
(1) At least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 142.230(b); and
(2) One 40-B portable fire extinguisher fitted in the engine room for each 1,000 brake horsepower of the main engines or fraction thereof. A towing vessel is not required to carry more than six additional 40-B portable fire extinguishers in the engine room for this purpose, regardless of horsepower.
Table 142.230(b)—40-B:C Portable Fire Extinguishers Gross tonnage— Minimum number of 40-B:C portable fire extinguishers Over Not over 50 1 50 100 2 100 500 3 500 1,000 6 1,000 8
(c) The frame or support of any semi-portable fire extinguisher fitted with wheels must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a steel bulkhead or deck to prevent it from rolling under heavy sea conditions.
(d) Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the minimum requirements of this section.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of March 31, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.