46 CFR 25.30-20: Fire extinguishing equipment required on vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section says which fire extinguishers motorboats, uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons, motor vessels and passenger-carrying barges must carry. The number and type depend on length or gross tonnage and on machinery space protection. Tables in the section give the minimums.
Applies toMotorboats, uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons, motor vessels, and barges carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel.
What it says
All motorboats must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers in table 25.30-20(a)(1), except certain outboard-propelled boats under 26 feet that carry no passengers for hire and cannot entrap explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
46 CFR 25.30-20(a)(1)“All motorboats must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 25.30-20(a)(1)”
Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if they meet the requirements of the table.
46 CFR 25.30-20(a)(3)“Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.”
All uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons must carry portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers as table 76.50-10(a) in § 76.50-10 of this chapter sets out.
46 CFR 25.30-20(b)“All uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons must carry onboard portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers per table 76.50-10(a) in § 76.50-10 of this chapter.”
All motor vessels must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers in table 25.30-20(b)(1).
46 CFR 25.30-20(c)(1)“All motor vessels must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 25.30-20(b) (1).”
The machinery space must have one Type 20-B portable fire extinguisher for each 1,000 B. H. P. of the main engines or fraction thereof, but not more than 6 such extinguishers need be carried.
46 CFR 25.30-20(c)(2)(i)“One Type 20-B portable fire extinguisher must be carried for each 1,000 B. H. P. of the main engines or fraction thereof.”
On motor vessels of over 300 gross tons, the machinery space must have either one 160-B semi-portable fire extinguishing system or a fixed fire extinguishing system.
46 CFR 25.30-20(c)(2)(ii)“On motor vessels of over 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semi-portable fire extinguishing system must be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system must be fitted in the machinery space.”
If an approved semi-portable fire extinguisher has wheels, it must be securely stowed when not in use so it cannot roll out of control under heavy sea conditions.
46 CFR 25.30-20(c)(4)“If an approved semi-portable fire extinguisher has wheels, it must be securely stowed when not in use to prevent it from rolling out of control under heavy sea conditions.”
A barge of over 65 feet in length carrying passengers while towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must have portable fire extinguishers as table 25.30-20(b)(1) requires, based on the barge's gross tonnage.
46 CFR 25.30-20(d)(2)“Every barge of over 65 feet in length while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers as required by table 25.30-20(b)(1)”
Common questions
Do small outboard motorboats need fire extinguishers?
Not always. Motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry them if the boat's construction will not permit entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
“motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry portable fire extinguishers”
Can I use a larger extinguisher than the table requires?
Yes. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if they meet the requirements of the table.
“Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.”
What extinguishers must a passenger barge of 65 feet or less carry?
A barge of 65 feet in length or less carrying passengers while towed or pushed must have portable fire extinguishers as table 25.30-20(a)(1) requires, depending on the barge's length.
“Every barge of 65 feet in length or less while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers”
The text of 46 CFR 25.30-20
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of March 31, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
Fire extinguishing equipment required
(a) Motorboats. (1) All motorboats must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 25.30-20(a)(1), except that motorboats less than 26 feet in length, propelled by outboard motors and not carrying passengers for hire, need not carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the boats will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.
Table 25.30-20(a)(1) Length, feet Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishersrequired 1 No fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space Fixed fireextinguishing system in machinery space Under 16 1 0 16 and over, but under 26 1 0 26 and over, but under 40 2 1 40 and over, but not over 65 3 2 1 One 20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers.
(2) The intent of this regulation is illustrated in Figure 25.30-20(a1) where fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the specified conditions exist, and in Figure 25.30-20(a2) where specified conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried.
Figure 25.30-20(a1)
Fire extinguishers are required if any one or more of the following conditions exist (numbers identifying conditions are the same as those placed in Figure 25.30-20 (a1)): 1. Closed compartment under thwarts and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored. 2. Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material. 3. Closed living spaces. 4. Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stowed. 5. Permanently installed fuel tanks. Figure 25.30-20(a2) The following conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire extinguishers be carried (numbers identifying conditions are the same as those placed in Figure 25.30-20(a2)): 1. Bait wells. 2. Glove compartments. 3. Buoyant flotation material. 4. Open slatted flooring. 5. Ice chests.
(3) Table 25.30-20(a)(1) of this section indicates the minimum quantity and type of extinguisher to be carried. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.
(b) Uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons. All uninspected passenger vessels of at least 100 gross tons must carry onboard portable and semi-portable fire extinguishers per table 76.50-10(a) in § 76.50-10 of this chapter.
(c) Motor vessels. (1) All motor vessels must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 25.30-20(b) (1).
Table 25.30-20(b)(1) Gross tonnage— Minimum number of 20-B portable fire extinguishers Over Not over 50 1 50 100 2 100 500 3 500 1,000 6 1,000 8
(2) In addition to the portable fire extinguishers required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the following fire extinguishing equipment must be fitted in the machinery space:
(i) One Type 20-B portable fire extinguisher must be carried for each 1,000 B. H. P. of the main engines or fraction thereof. However, not more than 6 such extinguishers need be carried.
(ii) On motor vessels of over 300 gross tons, either one 160-B semi-portable fire extinguishing system must be fitted, or alternatively, a fixed fire extinguishing system must be fitted in the machinery space.
(3) The frame or support of each 160-B fire extinguisher required by paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section must be welded or otherwise permanently attached to a bulkhead or deck.
(4) If an approved semi-portable fire extinguisher has wheels, it must be securely stowed when not in use to prevent it from rolling out of control under heavy sea conditions.
(5) Table 25.30-20(b)(1) of this section indicates the minimum quantity and type of extinguisher to be carried. Extinguishers with larger numerical ratings or multiple letter designations may be used if the extinguishers meet the requirements of the table.
(d) Barges carrying passengers. (1) Every barge of 65 feet in length or less while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers as required by table 25.30-20(a)(1), depending upon the length of the barge.
(2) Every barge of over 65 feet in length while carrying passengers when towed or pushed by a motorboat, motor vessel, or steam vessel must be fitted with portable fire extinguishers as required by table 25.30-20(b)(1), depending upon the gross tonnage of the barge.
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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.