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For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 15, 2003

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NMMA PARTNERS WITH STATE BOATING LAW ADMINISTRATORS TO QUIET THE WATERS

Chicago, IL

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) has joined the efforts of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to quiet waterways across the country so that both boaters and non-boaters can enjoy the natural environment.

The NMMA Board of Directors unanimously voted to endorse the NASBLA Model Noise Act, sample legislation that would restrict boat noise, during the American Boating Congress held May 5-6, 2003 in Washington, DC.

"The recreational boating industry continually strives to create cleaner marine engines, promote environmentally friendly technology and generally make the marine environment more enjoyable to all people," said Monita W. Fontaine, NMMA vice president of government relations. "NMMA looks forward to working with state boating law administrators across the country to pass model noise legislation."

The Model Noise Act requires all boats with above-water exhaust to install exhaust silencers (mufflers) to reduce exhaust noise, and it limits the shoreline sound level to 75 decibels for individual boats. To date, 32 states have adopted noise regulations equivalent to the standards set forth by the Model Noise Act. States include: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington State, Wisconsin, and Vermont. NMMA has established recommended noise guidelines for NMMA member companies, available at http://www.nmma.org/news/news.asp?id=1176&sid=43. To view NASBLA’s Model Act for Motorboat Noise, visit http://www.nmma.org/news/news.asp?id=1177&sid=44.