Yacht building
EPA to Propose Marine Rule Potentially Detrimental to Yacht Builders
NMMA organizing task force to address issue at EPA’s request
CHICAGO, September 8, 2006 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to propose a recreational marine diesel rule that could require large yacht builders to install exhaust after-treatment on all future yacht designs. Aware such a ruling may create problems for these manufacturers, EPA has asked the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to organize a task force that will further examine the issue.
EPA has been working on a plan over the last several years that would require emission reductions on marine diesel engines. Earlier this year, an EPA diesel rule was implemented requiring diesel engines to meet stringent new emission standards, primarily necessitating electronic controls. The EPA is now considering its next generation of emission regulations, which would require all commercial marine diesel engines greater than 600kW (800hp) to achieve catalyst-based emission standards at some point around 2012. Under the new rules, commercial marine diesel engines less than 600 kW would be required to meet lower emission standards based on engine size.
