ACN 002/22 - JAN 2022 FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS

R 141452Z JAN 22
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST COMDT NOTICE
BT
UNCLAS
ACN 002/22
SSIC 16247
SUBJ: FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT FOR RECREATIONAL VESSELS
A. 33 C.F.R. Subchapter S, Part 175
B. U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Officer Job Aid Kit (BOJAK)
Edition F, February 2020
1. This ACN announces new fire extinguishing equipment
requirements for recreational vessels and enforcement
guidance for Boarding Officers. This rule is effective
on 20 APR 2022.
2. Background.
    a. The Coast Guard has amended portable fire extinguishing
equipment requirements for recreational vessels, which includes
relieving the owners of recreational vessels from certain
inspection, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements.
The announcement in the Federal Register is located here:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/10/22/2021-
22578/fire-protection-for-recreational-vessels

    b. This rule moves fire extinguishing equipment rules for
recreational vessels from 46 C.F.R. §25.30 of Subchapter C
to 33 C.F.R. Part 175 of Subchapter S, Subpart E. Boarding
Officers must ensure they enter the correct reference into
MISLE for fire extinguisher warnings and Notice of Violations.
3. Enforcement posture. There are five significant changes
affecting enforcement of carriage requirements, and they are:
    a. Disposable dry chemical fire extinguishers must not be
expired. These extinguishers, which are the most common for
recreational boaters, are date stamped, normally on the bottom
of the extinguisher, with a two or four-digit year of manufacture.
When exceeding 12 years in age, these fire extinguishers are
considered to be expired regardless of cylinder condition or
charge status. A portable 5-B or 20-B extinguisher must be
taken out of service on December 31 of the 12th year. Disposable
extinguishers are labeled “Discharge and dispose after any use”
are marked as "Marine Type USCG" and classified as 5-B or 20-B
as a minimum with the most commonly found classifications at
5 B:C and 20 B:C.
    b. Existing Type B-I and B-II extinguishers, which do not
have a date stamp, that are in good and serviceable condition
may continue to be used and do not need to be replaced on model
year 2017 and older vessels. All new and replacement fire
extinguishers must meet United Laboratory (UL) rating minimums
(5-B, 20-B, etc.) and must be “Marine Type USCG” with an approval
number of 160.028/EX1793. For rechargeable or reusable extinguishers
(such as a carbon dioxide), expiration is confirmed by verifying
the extinguisher has been inspected by a National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 10 technician. Look for the inspection
tag on the bottle and verify date of service. Note: Rechargeable
extinguishers will be marked with “Recharge immediately after
any use."
    c. Fire extinguishers must now be “readily accessible” vice
the previous standard of “on board.”
    d. Fire extinguishers must meet the “good and serviceable”
standard of:
        (1) If the extinguisher has a pressure gauge reading or
indicator it must be in the operable range or position;
        (2) The lock pin is firmly in place;
        (3) The discharge nozzle is clean and free of obstruction;
and,
        (4) The extinguisher does not show visible signs of
significant corrosion or damage.
    e. Recreational boaters are relieved from monthly inspection
and record keeping requirements previously contained in
46 C.F.R. § 25.30.
3. Use Requirement. Until 31 DEC 2022, only written warnings will
be issued for disposable fire extinguishers that are expired as
long as the fire extinguisher is otherwise good and serviceable.
This grace period allows for increased public awareness of the
new safety requirements. Reference for authorizing written warnings
found in 33 C.F.R. § 1.08 is updated from 46 C.F.R. § 25.30 to
33 C.F.R. § 175.310. After 31DEC2022, Boarding Officers should
continue to use discretion when issuing a Notice of Violation
verse a Written Warning, especially when the only issue is the
12-year date. Remember, fire extinguishers rated only as B-I or
B-II have no 12-year end-of-service requirement and can remain
in use as long as they are good and serviceable.
4. Policy.
    a. REF (B) will be updated by MLEA along with posting
additional information for Coast Guard Boarding Officers
on the COMDT (CG-MLE-2) CGPortal site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cgmle/cgmle2/SitePages/
LE%20Policy%20Messages%20and%20Documents.aspx

    b. PDFs of the updates mentioned in paragraph 4.a, along
with additional information for Coast Guard Boarding Officers,
are available on the COMDT (CG-MLE-2) CGPortal site at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/cgmle/cgmle2/SitePages/
LE%20Policy%20Messages%20and%20Documents.aspx

5. Additional Information.
    a. To raise public awareness regarding the new fire
extinguisher requirements, COMDTs (CG-092) and (CG-BSX-2)
will release a MyCG article and several social media posts.
Additional public information is available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/fire-extinguisher
-faq.php

    b. Guidance for USCG Auxiliary personnel performing Vessel
Safety Checks is available on the USCG Auxiliary Web Portal at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=vessel
-examiner

6. This message will be cancelled on 31 DEC 2022.
7. POCs: CWO3 Lee Conroy, COMDT (CG-MLE-2),
Lee.J.Conroy@uscg.mil; Mr. Sean Ramsey, COMDT (CG-ENG-4),
Sean.M.Ramsey@uscg.mil; or Mr. Joseph Carro, COMDT (CG-BSX-2),
Joseph.J.Carro@uscg.mil.
8. Released by RADM John W. Mauger, Assistant Commandant for
Prevention Policy (CG-5P).
9. Internet release is authorized.