Vol. 5, No. 5	February 2002

COMPLIANCE BULLETIN

This bulletin is the unofficial newsletter of the Engineering Standards Department of NMMA. This bulletin will relay helpful information about compliance issues, industry news, new standards, and the NMMA Certification Program. Also included are answers to many questions that we receive from our certified manufacturers, and information that we believe to be helpful to all of our members. 

Certification Reminders:

• You should have received your invoices for the 2002 model year. These invoices reflect $200.00 agreement fees for the Boat, Yacht, and Trailer Certification programs. These fees also apply to each manufacturing facility you operate. Call or e-mail David DeHorn if you have not yet received these documents at 312.946.6253, or ddehorn@nmma.org.
  
  
• All NMMA products and logos are trademarked. The use of these logos and reproduction of these products without written consent from NMMA is strictly prohibited. To avoid any problems, please order all NMMA certification products directly from NMMA.
  
  
• NMMA's next Engineering Compliance Seminar is tentatively scheduled for December 9-12, 2002 in Nashville, at the DoubleTree Hotel. This will be a full review of the 2004 model year updates, changes and additions to the NMMA certification program. In addition to the domestic review of the ABYC standards, we will plan to have a review of the CE requirements presented by IMCI and their various inspectors. Registration forms will be mailed later in the year.
  
  
• We are entering the winter boat show season, and the engineering standards department plans to hand out our "cling-on" decals at the show. Please contact your dealers and set up crews so they can be on the lookout for these stickers when you arrive at the shows. We will be advertising the benefits of an NMMA certified boat in the show directories and signage in and around the shows. This is just another way to distance your company from the competition.
  
  

Standards Review:

• Fuel System Grounding - It is not necessary for the fuel filter to be grounded; particularly in the cases where the filter is mounted on he engine or connected to the engine with a metallic fuel line. The regulation specifically says "fuel fill systems and fuel tank." It was not intended to apply to the fuel filter. See 33 CFR 183.572 for further details.
  
  
• Title 33 CFR 181.29(a) The primary HIN must be affixed: (2) On boats without transoms or on boats which it would be impractical to use the transom, to the starboard side of the hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. (b) The duplicate HIN must be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.
  
  
• NFPA 302, Fire Protection Standard for Pleasure and Commercial Motor Craft, is currently undergoing its 5-year review. A committee consisting of ABYC, NMMA and IMCA has conducted a thorough review of the document, emphasizing its compatibility with current ABYC standards. The review comments will be sent to the 302 Technical committee, Chaired by Charlie Game, and will be discussed at the committee's March 2002 meeting. Comments concerning 302 can be sent directly to NFPA. Tom Marhevko is representing NMMA on the 302 Technical Committee.
  
  
• H-2.6.5.2 External openings of intakes and exhausts shall be located and oriented to prevent entry of fuel vapors. In no instance shall the intakes and exhausts be closer than 15 inches (380mm) from the gasoline fill and tank vent openings.
  
  
• H-2.6.5.3 Ventilation openings shall remain outside of weather enclosures.
  NOTE: Ventilation openings should be located with consideration of the potential contribution to water ingress. Ventilation openings below the shear may lower the effective freeboard.
  
  
• ABYC P-1.5.2 In order to minimize the potential for migration of carbon monoxide from machinery compartments containing gasoline engines to adjacent accommodation compartments, bulkhead and deck penetrations shall be sealed in accordance with the requirements of ABYC H-2, Ventilation of Boats Using Gasoline.
  
  
• ABYC T-5.11 Wording of Labels "paraphrased" - Use concrete specific nouns, use precise action verbs, use strong verbs, do not use contractions, and eliminate non-essential words.
  
  
• H-41.5.5.1.3 Ladder, Handholds, Rails and Lifelines-the termination shall not include a closure angle of less than 45 degrees.
  
  
• ABYC H-24.13.1, Permanent Fuel Systems, and H-33.13.1, Diesel Fuel Systems, states: The fuel vent system shall be designed to prevent spilling liquid fuel into the boat, or the environment, while fueling in accordance with the boat manufacturers instructions.
  
  

International:

• Please note the IMCI has moved. Their new "coordinates" are:
      INTERNATIONAL MARINE CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE
      Rue Abbé Cuypers 3
      B-1040 BRUXELLES
      BELGIQUE
      Tel +32-2-741-6836
      Fax +32-2-741-2418
  
  
• ISO 12217 Part 1, Stability and Buoyancy, Non-Sailing Craft = 6 Meters, and ISO 12217 Part 2, Stability and Buoyancy, Sailing Craft = 6 Meters, have recently been approved. You will now be required to follow these standards for CE certification. The ABYC standards will no longer be accepted as an alternate method. If you are in need of these standards, call ABYC at 410.956.1050.
  
  
• ISO/DIS 15083, Small Craft- Bilge Pumping System standard has been approved. This standard is now approved as an FDIS or Final Draft International Standard. Once the FDIS is approved, it will become an ISO standard.
  
  
• ISO 4565, Small Craft- Anchor Chains- This ISO standard has been withdrawn, and compliance is no longer necessary for CE certification.
  
  
• ISO Sound Testing requirements will be available for member state's (European Union) enforcement after December 2003. This is only one model year away. IMCI is currently putting together a schedule for sound testing boats this spring. If you are interested in testing your boats, call Tom at Marhevko at 312.94.66213.
  
  

Did You Know:

• The NMMA Certification program costs the average boat manufacturer about $1200.00 per year.
  
  
• ABYC is the sole U. S. source for obtaining ISO standards. A complete list of current published and draft standards relative to TC 188 is also available upon request. You can call them at 410.956.1050 or visit their website at www.abycinc.org.
  
  
• IMCI, to date has currently certified the following since it's inception:
  • 3420 boat models from 540 manufacturers
  • 4142 components from 212 manufacturers
  • 873 engine models from 26 manufacturers
  
  
• NMMA has recently introduced HIA, Houseboat Industry Association, as a new affiliate division of NMMA. Several HIA members have applied for Yacht Certification.