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PFD’s For Pets:
If you are a skipper who needs to have his pet dog
or cat on board or dock side then a PFD is recom-
mended. The PFD will aid you in finding the pet if
it should fall overboard. The device must fit the pet
properly. Also, it may take a bit of training before
the pet is comfortable wearing the PFD. Normally,
dogs are easier to train wearing a life vest than a
cat. Marine type retail stores will fit a pet to a PFD
by body weight.
Maintaining Your PFD’s
A PFD is only useful if it is well maintained. Always
be aware of PDF age since it has a life expectancy
like any other piece of equipment.
√ Check periodically for broken zippers, frayed
webbing, water soaked kapok bags, missing
straps, and sewing that has become undone.
√ Clean each PFD with mild soap and water only.
Again, let dry sufficiently before storing.
√ Keep PFD’s out of grease and oil since they can
deteriorate the jacket inner and outer materials.
√ Check any kapok-bagged jackets by squeezing.
If you hear air escaping the bag is defective
and the PFD should be thrown away.
√ Grab the cover with the fingers. If the cover ma-
terial rips, the PFD is rotted and should be
thrown away.
√ If the kapok bag is hard the PFD should be
discarded.
Fire Extinguishers
General Information:
Fire extinguishers are classified by a letter and
numeric symbol. The letter references the type of
fire the unit is designed to extinguish.
For example, type B extinguishers commonly
used on boats are designed to put out flammable
liquids such as grease, oil and gasoline.
The number indicates the general size of the ex-
tinguisher (minimum extinguishing agent weight).
Coast Guard Approved extinguishers are identi-
fied by the following marking on the label:
“Marine Type USCG Approved, Size..., Type...,
162.028/.../”, etc.
CLASS FOAM
IN
GALS.
C02
IN LBS.
DRY
CHEM
IN LBS.
HALON
IN LBS.
B-I
1.25 4 2 2.5
B-II
2.5 15 10 10
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CONTENTS
MINIMUM PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS REQUIRED
VESSEL LENGTH NO FIXED SYS-
TEM
WITH FIXED
SYSTEM
LESS THAN 26’
1 B-I 0
26’ TO LESS
THAN 40’
2 B-I or 1 B-II 1 B-I
40’ TO 65’
3 B-I or 1 B-I & 1
B-II
2 B-I
or 1 B-II