[10] 4 - Onboard Vessel Safety Equipment Requirement

The owner and/or captain of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, and maintain the following aboard their vessel:

• Flare gun with at least 3 flare charges and/or shots
• For each adult aboard the vessel, there shall be one adult-sized life vest
• For each child aboard the vessel, there shall be one child-sized life vest
• For vessels with a capacity of 4-10 persons, there shall be one life Lifebuoy aboard. For vessels with a capacity of 11 or more persons, there shall be one Lifebuoy aboard for each additional tenth person (i.e. 20 persons = 2 Lifebuoys, 30 persons = 3 Lifebuoys, etc.)
• Vessels shall have one fire extinguisher placed in or near the engine compartment
• For vessels which have an onboard hot-food preparation area, there shall be one fire extinguisher placed near the food preparation area

Each individual violation of this code is a separate infraction. The Coast Guard may choose, with discretion, to require a vessel be placed out of service and remain unused until the safety violations are corrected.