Abstract: A compact, lightweight, inexpensive surge restrictor for use in the fuel tank vent line of a marine craft includes a housing which defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a baffle member disposed within a flow path through the chamber so that liquid passing therethrough impinges upon and is redirected to dissipate liquid momentum, and a movable closure member, which in response to a surge of liquid into the inlet, abates liquid flow through the surge restrictor. More specifically, the movable closure member is movable between a normal rest position wherein vapor and air can easily flow through the surge restrictor to allow venting and atmospheric pressure equalization within a fuel tank, and a liquid fuel surge arresting position wherein the closure member blocks a passageway in the flow path between the inlet and outlet of the surge restrictor to abate fluid flow therethrough.