California

Boat, engine manufacturers and dealers should note responsibilities under new requirements

CHICAGO, Monday, March 12, 2007 – Beginning January 1, 2008, the State of California will introduce a new, more stringent set of exhaust emission regulations for sterndrive and inboard (SD/I) gasoline marine engines, and the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) is encouraging all parties in the SD/I distribution channel—including boatbuilders, engine manufacturers and boat and engine retailers—to understand their individual responsibilities and liabilities associated with the ruling.

“Unlike previously enacted outboard engine and personal watercraft emission regulations, which placed the compliance burden exclusively on marine engine manufacturers, the compliance burden and liability for the SD/I regulation will be shared between the dealer, boatbuilder and engine maker,” says John McKnight, NMMA director of Environmental Safety and Compliance. “That said, it’s critical each party understand its role and know the required steps in order to comply with the ruling.”

U.S. Coast Guard Dedicates Lockheed Martin-Equipped Deepwater Shipboard Operations Training Facility

PETALUMA, Calif., March 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Coast Guard today formally opened its new Deepwater shipboard operations training facility at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma. The $26 million facility was equipped by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) with state-of-the-art simulators, radars and electronics equipment to train Coast Guard crews assigned to the new Legend- class of National Security Cutters.

In addition to National Security Cutter crews, the facility will train U.S. Navy crews to operate and maintain the TRS-3D air search radar. In exchange, the Navy will train Coast Guard crews to operate the 57mm medium caliber deck gun.

"This state-of-the-art training facility will provide our Coast Guard and Navy crews the skills and expertise they need to sail our newest, most capable ships into the 21st Century," said Vice Adm. Vivien Crea, U.S. Coast Guard Vice Commandant.

The new Deepwater training facility was dedicated in honor of the Coast Guard's first senior enlisted advisor to the commandant, the late Master Chief Petty Officer Charles L. Calhoun.

Jack London Square, Oakland, California, USA

http://www.strictlysail.com/shows/pacific.asp

California Announces 15-Day Notice for Sterndrive Inboard Catalyst Rule

Rule includes low permeation fuel hose requirements for boatbuilders

CHICAGO, August 16, 2006 – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a 15-day notice for its sterndrive inboard catalyst rulemaking, allowing the public opportunity to comment on the proposal until August 28. The August 10th announcement for Spark Ignited (gas) Sterndrive rulemaking, once implemented, will set exhaust emission standards requiring after-treatment on engines affected by the rule. The nation’s largest recreational marine manufacturing trade association, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), has provided extensive comment throughout the rulemaking process.

The CARB rulemaking is being finalized during the same time period as an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CARB-funded salt water engine catalyst test program is being conducted by Southwest Research Institute. The CARB rule, as proposed, will go into effect unless the institute’s test program indicates safety or durability issues with sterndrive inboard catalyst engines when operated in salt water.