Tom Marhevko
Director, Engineering Standards

Editor: David DeHorn
Manager, Engineering Standards

This bulletin is an unofficial newsletter of the Certification and Technical Services Staffs of NMMA. In it we will relay helpful information for and about the Certification Program. Input comes from the answers to many questions that we receive daily and from information that we want to pass on to all our members. This bulletin will not only publish information from Gwen, Jay, Ray, and I, but also anything that you feel may directly help the certification program and the boat building industry.

1. Each metallic component of a fuel fill system and fuel tank, that is in contact with fuel, must be statically grounded. In an aluminum boat, a resistance of less than one ohm, between each component and the metal hull, must be achieved. The metal hull is the boat's ground.

Certification Issues/Reminders

1. Metallic fuel lines and fuel system components within 12 inches of battery terminal, and above the horizontal plane of battery top surface, shall be shielded with dielectric material to protect against accidental short-circuiting. (ABYC E-10.7.8)

2. A system voltmeter shall be installed on the main panelboard if the system is designed to supply motor circuits.

3. In the next revision of ABYC A-1, LPG Systems: (a) CRES flex tubing will be allowed for fuel lines. (b) Pressure gauges shall be directly visible, and (c) All relief valve outlets shall discharge into the cylinder locker or outside the boat.

4. Means of unassisted boarding such as, but not limited to, ladders, steps, handholds, brackets, swim platforms, and external parts of the propulsion system shall be incorporated on all boats whose minimum freeboard exceeds 12 inches, for the purpose of boarding the boat from the water. (ABYC A-18.8)

5. All power-driven and sailing vessels five meters (16.5 feet) and over in length, up to 20 meters in length, shall carry a power operated sound signal appliance that meets the requirements of ABYC A-23.

6. Bilge pump discharge location shall be above the waterline created by maximum conditions of boat's loading, heel, trim, and motion astern. Exception -The discharge may be located below the waterline if the discharge line is provided with a vented loop to prevent siphoning into the boat. A check valve shall not be used for this purpose.

7. The Yacht Certification Program is for all model boats 26 feet in length and over.

8. NMMA has petitioned ABYC to look into the need to ground each medal component of a plastic fuel tank. (ABYC H-24.15.1)

9. When measuring the transom height in calculating Boat Power Capacity, the 20 inch measurement has a sensitivity of + or - one inch.

Other News

1. NMMA Technical Services Department is under new leadership as of 1 July with the appointment of Tom Marhevko as Department director.

2. In the next revision of ABYC H-1, Visibility from the Helm, the vertical range of visibility shall extend

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