The fines can run from $1 to a maximum of $200. It will be up to the JP for the precinct the lake is located to assess the fine.

pay it and quit crying, have all your stuff in check and you would'nt have this problem. everyone has to pay the price and you ain't no different.. good day

man that sucks. We got stopped on bastrop sunday by the two lady game wardens and they checked ours and said it works....i know other wise. Ive been stopped by border patrol on amistad and they were not as tough as those ladies on bastrop.

You could have a aluminum johnboat with the tanks those old orange tanks that are portable and no under seat storage and a fire extinguisher would not be required.

I bought a brand new boat a couple of years ago, we left the dealership with the boat and ran to the lake to take a spin, the warden stopped me and checked for life jackets, when he asked about the fire extinguisher we looked everywhere for it, did not have one, he wrote me a ticket, I was really ticked about it because the warden was very arrogant about the whole situation, the boat was sold with one but they never installed it, live and learn.

I don't think he is questioning the law. Just a little leniency to be able to get a new one. I have never had one check to see if it worked.

warning ??? unfortunatly those things are a thing of the past"

Not sure but how do you check a fire ex. without fireing it off? And if you do that, then the dry chem type is ruined. Once the valve opens, the pressure will leak out. Co2 is different but somehow the dry chem residue let's the pressure leak off. 200 bucks, now days, seems to be the minimum.

If it doesn't have a gauge on it, it ain't much of a fire extinguisher, IMO. I have always carried two, since I can't imagine a scarier proposition than being in the middle of the lake with a fire onboard, aside from the boat just sinking out from under me.

Read the regs, check your required equipment as carefully as you do your tackle, and get out there worry-free.

You might try bringing a proof of purchase for a replacement and seeing if you can get it dismissed. I did a quick search on Lowes website and found the following for under 20 dollars that is USCG approved.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_314105-347-AUTOMAR10_0_?productId=3057077&Ntt=fire%20extinguisher&Ntk=i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=fire%20extinguisher$y=0$x=0


You can go once a year, and get one or two to replace it and always have an up to date extinguisher. When you purchase it, tape the receipt with date of purchase on it and waterproof it with packing tape. This will show the purchase date and normally it will be good for one year from that date.

(extinguishers may require a yearly inspection if they're subject to inspection by LEO or FD, not sure about watercraft though).

Another thing, the above unit will easily fit in most bass boats, and normally will fit in pre-installed brackets or in a compartment very easily. But the big thing is, the discharge time on the one I linked to above is only 8 seconds. A unit that small, you better be right on with your application, that's why I applaud you guys that have more than one on your boat.

Fire in a boat is something I don't want to ever deal with. One thing I learned in the Marines while on deployment. When your out on the water, there is no where to go but in the water if you can't stop the fire.

1. Fire Extinguisher
2. Coast Guard Approved Life Vest for any warm body on boat (children must be wearing them) and Auto Inflates DONT COUNT if you are not wearing them and they are stowed.
3. 1 Throwable Flotation Device
4. Horn OR Whistle OR BOTH
5. Anchor Light that is visible at 1 mile if I aint mistaken.
6. Red & Green Running lamp
7. Boat Card (Must be onboard boat)
8. Bilge Pump (Atleast 1, I have 2 on my boat and 1 is on an automatic Float Switch)
9. Paddle or Oar (Trolling Motor does NOT replace this either lol)


(Extras NOT required by law)
2 Anchors 1 with 75-100' of rope and 1 with 150' of rope, DRY STORAGE BOX, Flares, Silver Rescue Blanket (they only take up the space a CD case would and could save a life), VHF Radio (especially if planning on fishing the Saltwater), 1 GOOD Spot Light if planning on night fishing.


Those few things will put you in good shape and make for safe and prepared time on the water.


Sorry to hear about the fine, but realistically that thing could save a life and it might not even be yours it saves.



Rob

Amen!

I'm continually amazed at the apathy of some fishermen. Read the rules and regulations. They're in place for a reasaon and it's not so TPWD can make money. Anyone who knowingly ventures out without all of the required (at a minimum) safety equipment is playing Russian roulette with their and their passenger's lives. Not trying to be a jerk or preach, I just love my fellow man and it breaks my heart when I read of boating accidents/deaths that could have been prevented.

A class C misdemeanor is $25-500, could have been $500. The JP sets the fine, not the GW or TPWD. It is up to you to know what you need in the boat before you hit the water. Go whine to the JP...

Sorry for you trouble but thanks for posting. Just checked mine and guage says "Full".

I was stopped last spring on Choke for the same thing. My extinguisher was empty. I told them I would get one that evening when I went to town. I guess I was lucky, I didn't get a citation.