The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued new emissions regulations for gas-powered boat engines and boat fuel systems. The regulations are a result of a decade of negotiation and collaboration by the National Marine Manufacturers Association and the EPA and will result in substantial benefits to the recreational marine industry, public health, welfare and the environment as well as long-term fuel savings.
The new regulations mean gasoline outboard, personal watercraft and stern drive inboard engine manufacturers will basically be required to meet California emission standards. This will also be the first time gasoline marine engines will be required to meet a carbon monoxide standard. For boat builders, these new emission regulations will require the fuel system to meet both permeation and diurnal emission reductions.
The new standards require that fuel systems:
- Accommodate low permeation fuel lines and low permeation plastic fuel tanks
- Include carbon canisters used to capture fumes from open fuel vents and
- Prevent fuel from spitting back during fueling
"Because the EPA has allowed sufficient time for compliance, boat builders will have the time and resources necessary to redesign their vessels to meet these new standards," said John McKnight, director of environmental and safety compliance for the National Marine Manufacturers Association. "Because there is no reporting or certification requirement for boat manufacturers, they will only be required to install certified equipment in their vessels and affix a standard label that states that the vessel is in compliance with EPA regulations for the specific model year."
Boats not in compliance will incur significant penalties, including recall provisions. As a result, manufacturers are urged to take advantage of training sessions and compliance information provided by NMMA. The first session, titled "Boat Fuel Systems Design and Compliance (Session 309)," will take place at the International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) on Tuesday October 7, 2008 from 8:30 am to 10:00 am. Representatives from the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), NMMA and EPA will provide manufacturers will the tools needed to properly plan for the changes needed to meet both EPA and ABYC requirements.
Following IBEX, NMMA will develop a series of Evaporative Emission seminars in key boat manufacturing states, similar to sessions conducted following the implementation of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standard.
"NMMA, Grady-White Boats and countless other affected businesses worked tirelessly with the EPA for many years on this set of rules. The result is a true win-win situation," said Jim Hardin, compliance manager for Grady-White Boats. "The rule allows us the flexibility we need to implement the required changes while helping the EPA meet their goal of reducing emissions. Reduced emissions will help keep our water and air clean, which is very important to both us and our customers."
