Game Warden issue

[AndyG]

I've been stopped by this particular game warden a couple times, both times he told me I had to have a fire extinguisher on my jon boat. I only use a trolling motor and battery, and as I read it, I do not have to have a fire extinguisher on my boat. I pretty much quoted the the handbook concerning fire extinguishers and he said, "No, it says combustable device... what are you going to do if the battery explodes?" He really said that. I just said, "well I dont have a fire extinguisher."

Am I wrong here? I pay $40 a year to tag a 10' jon boat with a trolling motor, I am legal in every other aspect. Heres what the book says:

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Kentucky law requires that all boats
equipped with a petroleum product
(gasoline, kerosene, propane, etc.) consuming
device (engines, lanterns, stoves,
etc.) shall have a hand portable fire extinguisher
in serviceable condition and
located for immediate use. The best fire
protection is well maintained equipment
and proper safety habits.
There are fuels other than gasoline
that cause fires. Many houseboats use
bottled gas (propane) for stoves and
other appliances. Also, many fishermen
will use a lantern while fishing at night;
if tipped over it can cause a fire.

If anyone has the email address for KDFW for questions like this post it. The default mail thing doesnt work on this cpu, all it had was the "click here" to email.

[MagikSmallie]

I've been stopped by this particular game warden a couple times, both times he told me I had to have a fire extinguisher on my jon boat. I only use a trolling motor and battery, and as I read it, I do not have to have a fire extinguisher on my boat. I pretty much quoted the the handbook concerning fire extinguishers and he said, "No, it says combustable device... what are you going to do if the battery explodes?" He really said that. I just said, "well I dont have a fire extinguisher."

Am I wrong here? I pay $40 a year to tag a 10' jon boat with a trolling motor, I am legal in every other aspect. Heres what the book says:

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Kentucky law requires that all boats
equipped with a petroleum product
(gasoline, kerosene, propane, etc.) consuming
device (engines, lanterns, stoves,
etc.) shall have a hand portable fire extinguisher
in serviceable condition and
located for immediate use. The best fire
protection is well maintained equipment
and proper safety habits.
There are fuels other than gasoline
that cause fires. Many houseboats use
bottled gas (propane) for stoves and
other appliances. Also, many fishermen
will use a lantern while fishing at night;
if tipped over it can cause a fire.

If anyone has the email address for KDFW for questions like this post it. The default mail thing doesnt work on this cpu, all it had was the "click here" to email.

Unless you have a trolling motor that runs on a petroleum product then you are clear. batteries do not contain any petroleum product that I am aware of other than the plastic. Surely he didnt fine you for this did he? If he did I would protest the heck out of it. Trolling motors consume electricity not petroleum.

[Brandon__]

I read over it, i agree with you, there is nothing that says you HAVE to have one. but as a good rule of thumb it could come in handy for example if someones boat catches and you are in the vicinity you could attempt to help or something along those lines. I would just have a small one in the boat for just such occasions.

[dldoss80]

ive been checked several times in my two man boat with a trolling motor and battery and no fire ext. by several different game wardens and they have never asked or said one thing about that to me

[know1]

They're so cheap, I think I'd just get one to spare you the hassle of him stopping you again.

[AndyG]

They're so cheap, I think I'd just get one to spare you the hassle of him stopping you again.

Yeah, any normal person would but Im not giving in on it.

[AndyG]

Like I said, if any of you have the KDFW email post it. I just want to let them know. The first time he made me get off the water and acted like he was doing me a favor not writing me up (at the time I wasn't 100% sure I didn't need one so I complied). This time he obviously didn't remember the first run in and he just said I have get one before I come back on the water.

My 10' boat is cluttered enough with 2 batteries, lifevests, oars, 4 rods, tackle, cooler, etc.

[Chubminnow]

My 10' boat is cluttered enough with 2 batteries, lifevests, oars, 4 rods, tackle, cooler, etc.

I gaurantee it's cluttered...I guess if you do decide to give in you'll have to strap it to the back or front side of one of the benches that runs from side-to-side.

I know we need them (laws, rules, regulations), but sometimes the laws, rules and regulations tick me off.

[AndyG]

Thing is, its no big deal. I dont mind buying a fire extinguisher. I can afford it and to be honest I have plenty of room for a little fire extinguisher. BUT... imagine planning a night fishing trip. You sleep in so you can be good and rested and ready to fish all night, you pack everything and spool your reels up, etc... You check to make sure you're legal. You purchased and rigged running lights on a tin boat. You get on the water and after 30minutes the game warden is escorting you to the ramp because you don't have a fire extinguisher and the law doesn't require you to have one. That was it, wal mart was closed, my night of fishing was over and it was too late I had already downed a 5hr energy, haha.

So no. Im not getting a fire extinguisher. Its already been a hassle, whats a little more.

[transamz9]

Imagine you next night trip when you do all that again and you are being escorted to jail and your truck and boat are following you behind a tow truck just because you and him are bumping chest. I guarantee you that his chest is bigger. O.K, so you win and you prove that you don't need a $15 extinguisher. The next time he comes up to you and you show him your proof that you don't need one and his ego is bigger than yours, I'll bet you will be seeing him a lot more. Put one in your boat and he will say thanks and not bother you anymore.

[Carter1]

Instead of emailing KDFWR why don't you call them. Ask for Law Enforcement. Then you can speak your peace and get a definitive answer. Aslo you can voice your complaint about the officer in question. Make sure you write down the name of the person you speak with and the date and time in case you need it for future reference. Good luck.

[coombro]

Imagine you next night trip when you do all that again and you are being escorted to jail and your truck and boat are following you behind a tow truck just because you and him are bumping chest. I guarantee you that his chest is bigger. O.K, so you win and you prove that you don't need a $15 extinguisher. The next time he comes up to you and you show him your proof that you don't need one and his ego is bigger than yours, I'll bet you will be seeing him a lot more. Put one in your boat and he will say thanks and not bother you anymore.

If he's wrong he needs to know he's wrong. Otherwise he's just gonna pick on someone else.