It's the Law: Equipment for Your Vessel

Backfire Flame Arrestors

All powerboats (except outboards) that are fueled with gasoline must be equipped with one of the following:

• U.S. Coast Guard-approved or SAE-approved backfire flame arrestor on each carburetor. Periodically clean the flame arrestor and check for any damage.
• An arrangement of the carburetor or engine air induction system that safely disperses any flames from a backfire to the atmosphere outside the vessel.

Ventilation Systems

The importance of ventilation is crucial. The purpose of ventilation systems is to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases. Properly installed ventilation systems greatly reduce the chance of a life-threatening explosion.

• All gas-powered vessels, constructed in a way that would entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the fumes.
• If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes after fueling, prior to starting your engine.
• If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (such as PWCs), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting the engine.

Mufflers

All vessel engines must have a factory-installed muffler or exhaust water manifold for noise reduction or another effective muffling system. Vessel operators may not hear sound signals or voices if the engine is not adequately muffled.

The following adjustments are prohibited.

• Using cutouts
• Removing mufflers or muffler baffles
• Cutting or punching holes in mufflers
• Modifying the original muffler or muffling system in a way that increases noise level