{
  "name": "Recreational boat safety equipment requirements by vessel length",
  "description": "Coast Guard rules on what safety gear a recreational boat must carry are not stated as one table -- personal flotation devices, portable fire extinguishers, and visual distress signals are each governed by a different subpart of 33 CFR Part 175, and each is triggered at a different length breakpoint (16, 26, 40, 65 feet). Getting this wrong is a citable offense during a boarding, and the probe run found search results dominated by marina blogs and boating-school pages rather than the regulation itself. Each record is one length band, stating exactly what each subpart requires at that band, quoted from the regulation. Answers 'how many fire extinguishers do I need on a 30-foot boat', 'do I need visual distress signals on a 14-foot boat', 'what size boat needs a throwable PFD'.",
  "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/",
  "licence": "Federal regulatory text (33 CFR), not copyrightable",
  "last_verified": "2026-09-01",
  "stale_after": "2027-08-25",
  "sources": [
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-C",
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-B",
    "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E"
  ],
  "records": [
    {
      "length_band": "16 feet or more in length",
      "pfd_requirement": "At least one wearable PFD on board for each person, plus one throwable PFD onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.15",
      "id": "16-feet-or-more-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/16-feet-or-more-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-B",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.15 Personal flotation devices required. Except as provided in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.17> \u00a7\u00a7 175.17 and <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.25> 175.25 : (a) No person may use a recreational vessel unless\u2014 (1) At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person; (2) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and (3) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner's manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual. (b) No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.15#p-175.15(a)> paragraph (a) of this section.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "pfd_requirement"
      ],
      "also_reported": [
        {
          "field": "visual_distress_signal_requirement",
          "value": "Visual distress signals must be onboard: devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use",
          "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-C",
          "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.110 Visual distress signals required. (a) No person may use a boat 16 feet or more in length, or any boat operating as an uninspected passenger vessel subject to the requirements of <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I> 46 CFR chapter I , subchapter C, unless visual distress signals selected from the list in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.130> \u00a7 175.130 or the alternatives in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.135> \u00a7 175.135 , in the number required, are onboard. Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use, must be carried. (b) Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.130> \u00a7 175.130 or <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.135> \u00a7 175.135 , in the number required, are on board.",
          "as_of": "2026-08-25"
        }
      ],
      "disagreements": []
    },
    {
      "length_band": "16 or more, but less than 26",
      "extinguisher_no_fixed_system": "1",
      "extinguisher_with_fixed_system": "0",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1)",
      "id": "16-or-more-but-less-than-26",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/16-or-more-but-less-than-26/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required 1 | If no fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | If fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Under 16 | 1 | 0 | 16 or more, but less than 26 | 1 | 0 |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "extinguisher_no_fixed_system",
        "extinguisher_with_fixed_system",
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "26 or more, but less than 40",
      "extinguisher_no_fixed_system": "2",
      "extinguisher_with_fixed_system": "1",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1)",
      "id": "26-or-more-but-less-than-40",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/26-or-more-but-less-than-40/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required 1 | If no fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | If fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Under 16 | 1 | 0 | 16 or more, but less than 26 | 1 | 0 | 26 or more, but less than 40 | 2 | 1 |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "extinguisher_no_fixed_system",
        "extinguisher_with_fixed_system",
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "40 or more, but not more than 65",
      "extinguisher_no_fixed_system": "3",
      "extinguisher_with_fixed_system": "2",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1)",
      "id": "40-or-more-but-not-more-than-65",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/40-or-more-but-not-more-than-65/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required 1 | If no fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | If fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Under 16 | 1 | 0 | 16 or more, but less than 26 | 1 | 0 | 26 or more, but less than 40 | 2 | 1 | 40 or more, but not more than 65 | 3 | 2 |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "extinguisher_no_fixed_system",
        "extinguisher_with_fixed_system",
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "65 feet or less in length",
      "condition_or_exception": "One 20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1)",
      "id": "65-feet-or-less-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/65-feet-or-less-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "(a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (1) A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 1 to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.320#p-175.320(a)(1)> \u00a7 175.320(a)(1) . A vessel less than 26 feet in length, propelled by an outboard motor, is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors. Table 1 to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.320> \u00a7 175.320 (a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required 1 | If no fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | If fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Under 16 | 1 | 0 | 16 or more, but less than 26 | 1 | 0 | 26 or more, but less than 40 | 2 | 1 | 40 or more, but not more than 65 | 3 | 2 | 1 One 20-B portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers. |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "condition_or_exception"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "Canoes and kayaks 16 feet or more in length",
      "pfd_requirement": "Exempted from carriage of the additional throwable PFD required under \u00a7 175.15(b)",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.17",
      "id": "canoes-and-kayaks-16-feet-or-more-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/canoes-and-kayaks-16-feet-or-more-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-B",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.17 Exemptions. (a) Canoes and kayaks 16 feet or more in length are exempted from the requirements for carriage of the additional throwable PFD required under <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.15#p-175.15(b)> \u00a7 175.15(b) .",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "pfd_requirement"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "less than 16 feet in length",
      "visual_distress_signal_requirement": "Between sunset and sunrise, visual distress signals suitable for night use must be on board",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.110",
      "id": "less-than-16-feet-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/less-than-16-feet-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-C",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.110 Visual distress signals required. (a) No person may use a boat 16 feet or more in length, or any boat operating as an uninspected passenger vessel subject to the requirements of <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-46/chapter-I> 46 CFR chapter I , subchapter C, unless visual distress signals selected from the list in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.130> \u00a7 175.130 or the alternatives in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.135> \u00a7 175.135 , in the number required, are onboard. Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use, must be carried. (b) Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.130> \u00a7 175.130 or <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.135> \u00a7 175.135 , in the number required, are on board.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "visual_distress_signal_requirement"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "less than 26 feet in length",
      "condition_or_exception": "A vessel propelled by an outboard motor is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320(a)(1)",
      "id": "less-than-26-feet-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/less-than-26-feet-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "(a) Recreational vessels 65 feet or less in length. (1) A recreational vessel 65 feet or less in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers set forth in table 1 to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.320#p-175.320(a)(1)> \u00a7 175.320(a)(1) . A vessel less than 26 feet in length, propelled by an outboard motor, is not required to carry portable fire extinguishers if the construction of the vessel will not permit the entrapment of explosive or flammable gases or vapors.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "condition_or_exception"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "more than 65 feet in length",
      "condition_or_exception": "Portable fire extinguishers are set by gross tonnage rather than length: 20-B portable fire extinguishers, 1 up to 50 gross tons, 2 above 50 up to 100, 3 above 100 up to 500, 6 above 500 up to 1,000, and 8 above 1,000",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320(b)(1)",
      "id": "more-than-65-feet-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/more-than-65-feet-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "(b) Recreational vessels more than 65 feet in length. (1) A recreational vessel more than 65 feet in length must carry at least the minimum number of portable fire extinguishers specified for its tonnage as set forth in table 4 to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.320#p-175.320(b)(1)> \u00a7 175.320(b)(1) . Table 4 to <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.320> \u00a7 175.320 (b)(1) Gross tonnage\u2014 | Minimum number of 20-B portable fire extinguishers | More than | Not more than | | 50 | 1 | 50 | 100 | 2 | 100 | 500 | 3 | 500 | 1,000 | 6 | 1,000 | | 8 |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "condition_or_exception"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "Under 16",
      "extinguisher_no_fixed_system": "1",
      "extinguisher_with_fixed_system": "0",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1)",
      "id": "under-16",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/under-16/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-E",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.320 (a)(1) Length (feet) | Minimum number of 5-B portable fire extinguishers required 1 | If no fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | If fixed fire extinguishing system in machinery space | Under 16 | 1 | 0 |",
      "verified_fields": [
        "extinguisher_no_fixed_system",
        "extinguisher_with_fixed_system",
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ]
    },
    {
      "length_band": "under 26\u2032 in length",
      "visual_distress_signal_requirement": "A sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with propulsion machinery, need not comply with \u00a7 175.110, but must carry visual distress signals suitable for night use between sunset and sunrise",
      "source_section": "\u00a7 175.115",
      "id": "under-26-in-length",
      "url": "https://referencesource.org/recreational-boat-safety-equipment-requirements-by-length/under-26-in-length/",
      "source": "https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-C",
      "source_quote": "\u00a7 175.115 Exceptions. The following persons need not comply with <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.110> \u00a7 175.110 ; however, each must carry on board visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.130> \u00a7 175.130 or <https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.135> \u00a7 175.135 , in the number required, between sunset and sunrise: (a) A person competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race, or similar event; (b) A person using a manually propelled boat; or (c) A person using a sailboat of completely open construction, not equipped with propulsion machinery, under 26\u2032 in length.",
      "verified_fields": [
        "length_band",
        "source_section"
      ],
      "derived_fields": [
        "visual_distress_signal_requirement"
      ]
    }
  ]
}