Confused!? Stopped for safety check

[InTheRiver]

I was at a local lake a couple weeks back and was stopped for a safety check. The Sheriff was going over all required equipment and what not, then he asked to see a Fire extinguisher?? I have a 16' tinny with bench seats, no storage compartments of any kind, no floor, portable fuel tank, outboard motor. From what I've read in the boaters hand book, it states that I do not need one. I tried to politely tell him that I had just read the hand book to make sure I had everything, but he insisted that I need one and its a ticket able offense??? He gave me a warning for not having it.

His reason for my boat needing one was, "the underside of the bench seats are open and can collect fumes, any boat the can collect fumes in any area needs a fire extinguisher" But the underside of my seats are filled with flotation foam as required by law for boats less than xx' I think its 20'

Did I miss read the regulations?? I thought they were very clear.

[wally-eye]

Looks like he quoted directly from the rules.......I'd have to say based by what you said about your seats that it would be a judgement call although a fire extinguisher should be aboard regardless IMHO..

http://boat-ed.com/mi/handbook/exting.htm

[InTheRiver]

I agree, its a very good idea to have one.

[Michigander1]

Any 16 ft boat or above must have 1.To be honest all should have them,Mich

[foxriver6]

http://www.state.mi.us/orr/emi/admincode.asp?AdminCode=Single&Admin_Num=28101231&Dpt=NR&RngHigh=

Fire extinguishers are required if any of the following conditions
exist:
1. Closed compartment under thwarts and seats where 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 compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are
stored.
5. Permanently installed fuel tanks.

**** For Figure 3 see attached file labed "Figures" ****

The following conditions do not, in themselves, require that fire
extinguishers be carried:

1. Bait wells.
2. Glove compartments.
3. Buoyant flotation material.
4. Open slatted flooring.
5. Ice chests.

[foxriver6]

Here is where they are authorized to do an inspection:

324.80166 Peace officers; stopping of vessels; duty of operator; reasonable suspicion; furnishing false information as misdemeanor; arrests without warrant.
Sec. 80166.
(1) Upon the direction of a peace officer acting in the lawful performance of his or her duty, the operator of a vessel moving on the waters of this state shall immediately bring the vessel to a stop or maneuver it in a manner that permits the peace officer to come beside the vessel. The operator of the vessel shall do the following upon the request of the peace officer:
(a) Provide his or her correct name and address.
(b) Exhibit the certificate of number awarded for the vessel.
(c) If the vessel does not bear a decal described in section 80166a or an equivalent decal issued by or on behalf of another state, submit to a reasonable inspection of the vessel and to a reasonable inspection and test of the equipment of the vessel.
(2) Except for inspection of a vessel to determine the number and adequacy of personal flotation devices on that vessel, a peace officer shall not stop and inspect a vessel bearing the decal described in section 80166a or an equivalent decal issued by or on behalf of another state during the period the decal remains in effect unless that peace officer has a reasonable suspicion that the vessel or the vessel's operator is in violation of a marine law.
(3) A person who is detained for a violation of this part or of a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a provision of this part and who furnishes a peace officer false, forged, fictitious, or misleading verbal or written information identifying the person as another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(4) A peace officer who observes a marine law violation may immediately arrest the person without a warrant or issue to the person a written or verbal warning.

[multibeard]

I talked to my hunting partner yesterday that is a marine officer.

He said if you have an open 16 footer with now cowling enclosing any part of the boat you are not required to have an extinguisher.

This reminds me of the problem I had with our former marine officer. He was adamant that I had to wear a pfd in my canoe. I finally had to high light the part in the booklet that said I only was required to have a throw able to be legal.

I caught him in the coffee shop one morning and showed him the law in frontof every one. I told him to quit making up his own regulations.

[InTheRiver]

Just to be safe and make things easier when stopped, I pick up a fire ext. Just for reference heres a pic of the boat.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/98700xcbb/011507010210011602200710318f1c2c2da.jpg

[Michigander1]

I have pick up a fire ext. just to be safe and make things easier when stopped. Just for reference heres a pic of the boat.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s168/98700xcbb/011507010210011602200710318f1c2c2da.jpg Looks like a meyers boat ? :),Mich

[InTheRiver]

Its actually a Spectrum, great boat, really strong, needs a non slip floor though.

[Greenbush future]

Any boat with a gas motor should have one, and I hope you never have to use it.