This is more a safety question, but I can't seem to post in that forum, so I'll post it here:
I was putting together my safety kit today for my new-to-me boat, and after spending $100+ for 4 flares a PVC flag and one kids PFD, the guy at the marine store pointed out that even though I already have a fire extinguisher on the boat, it might be old and if it is expired I could get fined if stopped by the Coast Guard and that I should check for a date on the thing. I looked it over carefully and there is no expiration date per se, nor does it have one of those tags that many extinguishers have with a "tested on" date. There is the number 07 stamped on the bottom of the thing. It reads in the green on the charge gauge.
Am I in compliance, or am I risking a fine? Can I take the thing to the fire dept of somewhere else to get them to verify it and put one of those "inspected date" tags on it?
I was putting together my safety kit today for my new-to-me boat, and after spending $100+ for 4 flares a PVC flag and one kids PFD, the guy at the marine store pointed out that even though I already have a fire extinguisher on the boat, it might be old and if it is expired I could get fined if stopped by the Coast Guard and that I should check for a date on the thing. I looked it over carefully and there is no expiration date per se, nor does it have one of those tags that many extinguishers have with a "tested on" date. There is the number 07 stamped on the bottom of the thing. It reads in the green on the charge gauge.
Am I in compliance, or am I risking a fine? Can I take the thing to the fire dept of somewhere else to get them to verify it and put one of those "inspected date" tags on it?