CE marked boats in USA

I would appreciate very much if someone could tell me if a CE marked boat is able to be commercialized in the USA.

Thanks a lot in advance.

 

I have read that it is mandatory to present the Customs a proof that the boat conforms to EPA standards (https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1184).

My doubt is if a boat produced within the European Comunity and CE marked is accepted as complying with the EPA standards or if there is an specific "USA marking" to be complied with.

Or then, what the requisites are?

Anybody?

 

Dont know. Contact Boatdesign net contributor IKE. He is familiar with rules.

Double check the fuel system requirements for American boats. The tanks and installation are unique

EPA CARB, low permeation.
http://www.moellermarine.com/sites/moellermarine/files/redi-tank-postcard-sm.pdf

http://www.moellermarine.com/oem/fuel_tanks/redi-tanks/

 

Thanks Michael.
I will contact IKE.
Best regards.

 

I think this link may help: http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boat_builders_handbook_and_regulations.aspx
Also, remember that all boats sold here need to have a HIN. For that you need to register the company and get a three letter designation.

 

Gracias, Gonzalo

 

CE boats usually comply with all USCG regulations, except HIN, but I do not know if they meet the EPA regulations for emissions and exhaust. The people who would know are at the US Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety. Mr. Philip Cappel at 202-372-1076 or philip.j.cappel@uscg.mil or Mr. Po Chang, same phone number, po.l.chang@uscg.mil

Contact them and they can get you a correct answer.

 

Ike, does the USCG get involved with enforcing the relatively recent engine and fuel system emission regulations, or does the EPA do that directly? For land vehicles NHTSA enforces the safety regulations and EPA enforces the engine and fuel system emission regulations.

Relevant EPA website pages:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marinesi.htm
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/marine.htm
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/oceanvessels.htm

 

Thanks a lot, Ike.
I will contact those USCG officers.
Have a nice day!

 

Sorry to give you a typical government answer; Yes and No.

Yes: the EPA fuel hose regulations have been incorporated into the USCG fuel hose regulations, so the USCG requires the new low emissions fuel hose. .

No: The EPA is the enforcing agency for the exhaust and emissions standards.

In other words USCG enforces safety regulations and EPA enforces emissions regulationss, just like with NHTSA and land vehicles.

 

Ike,
I have received two helpful answers from the USCG services, wich may be resumed in these two phrases from their e-mails:


"Generally speaking, CE marking alone does not automatically make a boat to be compliance to the U.S. Coast Guard regulations for marketing a boat to the public in U.S. The regulations for recreational boat builders in the U.S. can be found in our website in the Boat Bulder's Handbook under the tab of Regulations in www.uscgboating.org "

"Boats must be imported into the U.S. by an importer (U.S. corporation) with a Manufacturer's Identification Code. That MIC will be used in the HIN that must be marked on the boat from the factory before arrival into U.S."

Thanks again for your help.

 

Geez, I hope I didn't sound that beaucratic when I was there.

That is the stock answer and is correct but it appears they did not answer your question about EPA regulations.

I wish I could but I am not familiar with the CE environmental regulations so I can't compare the two.

Yes, if you are importing a boat into the US you need an agent here. It can be anything from hiring a person to represent you in the US (about as simple as it gets), to opening a subsidiary office with staff, brokers and so on. The reason is less simple. US law on recreational boats only applies in the US. So they have no jurisdiction over someone outside the US and cannot enforce laws against that person or company. There must be someone in the US who represents you and is responsible for complying with US laws. So if there is need for action, ( a defect or a noncompliance) then the USCG (or EPA) can go to that person to correct the problem. I explain this more thoroughly on my web page on Hull Identification Numbers because that is where the issue arises most often. http://newboatbuilders.com/pages/hin.html

Who would know the EPA rules here and in the EU? Start with the American Boat and Yacht Council. (ABYC) http://www.abycinc.org/ (410) 990-4460.

They are the US representative to the ISO, so they should be able to give you a contact that sits on the right ISO committee that deals with EU Environmental Regulations and US EPA Regs. They may also have this information on their website but you have to be a member to access it.

 

My suggestion is to ask the EPA directly about meeting their regulations. I doubt EU certification/marking by itself is sufficient.

Engines are covered by the EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality. Their organization chart is at: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/otaqorgchart.pdf
Justin Greuel is the name for Diesel engine compliance and Cle Jackson is the name for Spark Ignition (gasoline) engine compliance. Contact information for EPA employees can be found at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/locator/index.cfm

Greuel, Justin HQ 202-343-9891
Jackson, Cleophas LAB 734-214-4824 ​

My understanding, perhaps incorrect is the engine needs to be certified and marked as meeting US EPA regulations.

Boats with gasoline engines need to meet evaporative emission regulations which cover the entire fuel system from the filler to the engine and which also cover fuel system venting. One of the contacts above should be able to answer questions about those regulations or direct you to someone who can.

 

The engine must comply, the easiest way is to ask the engine manufacturer if its allowable to be sold in the USA. You'll need the full manufactures model number but should be a pretty straightforward answer

 

> CE marked boat is able to be commercialized in the USA.<

The EPA is only a small part of the problem , IF commercialized means carrying Passengers for hire.

You will need to purchase a congress person to get a personal bill allowing a Jones Act exemption. Congress folks dont come cheap.

AS Will Rogers said decades ago, WE have the best congress money can buy!

Over a certain size the rules get very stiff , fire retardant resin , compartment subdivision etc. Subchapter T in USCG books.