Before heading out for the summer boating season, the Sea Tow Foundation reminds you to check your boat’s fire extinguisher. A new law took effect on April 20, 2022 that requires that any fire extinguisher older than 12 years of age should be expired and removed from the boat.

Boaters should also inspect their fire extinguishers regularly to ensure that the locking pin is intact, the tamper seal is still in place, and the pressure gauge is operating correctly. Then, the fire extinguisher should be rotated top to bottom a few times to ensure the chemical has not settled and the tank is still full.

For details on which types of boats are required to carry fire extinguishers as well as how to use a fire extinguisher correctly, please see this previous blog post on the topic.

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