The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) actively certifies the safety and construction standards used for a number of marine related products including boats, yachts, personal water craft, boat trailers, engine oils and boat dealers. Certification helps manufacturers comply with regulations, ensures the quality of their products through third party inspections, and improves the overall customer experience in buying a certified product.
“The industry support for NMMA Certification has been overwhelming thus far,” says Robert Newsome, NMMA manager, Engineering Standards. “With more than 200 NMMA member-manufacturers Certified to date, we are on track to meet the goal of certifying all 350 NMMA boat builders by close of the 2007 model year.”
NMMA reached a cooperative agreement with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) that sets stringent standards for boat and yacht construction. Topics of interest include fuel, electrical and steering systems, power and weight capacity, and flotation. Certified manufacturers must have an approved customer satisfaction program in place to measure product performance.
Boat Certification – Boats certified under this program are less than 26 feet in length. Boats are inspected by a qualified third party with all the factory supplied equipment. NMMA certifies boats using ABYC Standards and Recommended Practices for Small Craft and surpass Coast Guard standards. New boat models must be certified before shipment. Components used on a boat must be type accepted by NMMA. Boat capacity ratings for backflame control, flotation, horsepower and loading originally developed by the Boating Industry Association (BIA) are incorporated into the program. Capacity standards are available for these vessel types:
- Outboard and non-powered boats
- Inboard, I/O and sea drive boats
- Pontoon boats
- Inflatable boats
Yacht Certification – NMMA certifies yachts using specific standards promulgated by ABYC for fuel, electrical and ventilation systems, and navigation lights. Yachts are classified as vessels over 26 feet in length. Yachts must meet all federal standards prescribed in 33 CFR 1 83. Use of additional ABYC standards is being evaluated with a look at items that have the greatest effect on vessel safety. New model yachts must be certified before shipping.
Dealer Certification - NMMA has a Marine Industry Certification Program to help establish a high standard of customer satisfaction in both buying and maintaining a vessel. Certified dealers have friendly, knowledgeable staff, sell quality products and provide reliable service departments. Dealers must demonstrate their high standards to NMMA in the areas of operations, facilities, sales and service, customer satisfaction and employee development. Benefits described by NMMA using a certified dealer are:
- A customer bill of rights
- A dealership assurance of excellence
- Guaranteed recourse for feedback and conflict resolution
Trailer Certification - NMMA has a boat trailer certification program that ensures trailers are built to federal and recognized industry standards. These standards are established in Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49 and by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Areas of interest include capacity, coupling, safety equipment, brakes, winches and lighting. Trailers are certified with the equipment supplied for them by the factory by independent third party inspectors.
Personal Watercraft Certification - Working in cooperation with the Personal Watercraft Industry Association, NMMA has developed a certification program based on international standards under International Standards Organization (ISO) 13590 Small craft - Personal watercraft - Construction and system installation requirements. Areas of interest are fuel, ventilation, electrical systems, and flotation.
NMMA also certifies two cycle engine oil labeled TC-W3 and FC-W for four-stoke engine oil. NMMA's stringent oil standards are recognized by major marine engine builders and designed for use in the unique marine environment. These labels are meant to make oil purchases a little less confusing and allow consumers to select oil appropriate for their needs.
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
