Regulations

Overview

Beginning on January 1, 2009 in California and on July 31, 2011 throughout the rest of the country, the diurnal emissions from gas powered boats are being regulated. Two specific regulations are involved:

• The California Air Resource Board (CARB) Recreational Marine Engine Activity regulations
  • specific details on these regulations can be found at http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/recmarine/recmarine.htm
• The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Emission Standards for Marine Engines
  • specific details on these regulations can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marinesi.htm

In general, boat builders are required by law to significantly reduce emissions. Automotive manufacturers have been operating under somewhat similar regulations for years. They meet the requirements in part, by venting these fumes through carbon canisters. Both agencies expect this same approach will be a method boat builders will use to meet the new requirement.

The specific implementation dates are as follows:

• CARB - 1/1/2009 for boats sold into the state of California with engines producing 500 hp or more
• EPA - Beginning on 7/31/2011. See section 1045.625 for details.