From 2014, all new boat engines must comply with a different emissions directive. It is adapted to the American TIER III regulations, which are considered to be strict. "The initiative has finally been passed by Parliament and can now come into force this year. Harmonisation with the USA means that manufacturers can offer one and the same engine worldwide. This reduces the logistical effort," says Robert Marx, importer for Yanmar engines and Chairman of the European Boatbulding Industry, the European industry association that played a leading role in the revision.
The exhaust gas purification system required by the new directive is by no means a catalytic converter or particulate filter, which is difficult to imagine in a wet exhaust system, but, according to Marx, is already integrated into the engines in the form of exhaust gas recirculation and the like. Most of the engines on the market already fulfil the required limit values. So not much will change. Not even for owners of older engines: "There is of course grandfathering," says Marx
The term "drive motor" has also been adapted. It has been broadened to include the combustion engines used in hybrid systems. This is logical, as the power generators used, even if they are not directly intended for propulsion, should also emit the cleanest possible exhaust gases into the environment.
Special regulations, such as those for Lake Constance, will remain in place, but are to be harmonised across Europe with the help of the EU Commission.
Confusing name changed
At the request of the Parliament, the design categories were also adapted in addition to the emissions directive. They indicate the conditions for which a boat has been designed. Category A, for example, states that the vessel must function up to wind force eight or more and four metre high waves, but not in extreme weather conditions such as storms. The regulation continues up to category D, which must be able to sail unimpaired up to wind force four and 0.3 metre high waves.
What the Parliament found confusing was the naming of the categories (A = high seas, B = outside coastal waters, C = coastal waters, D = protected waters). In order to reduce this confusion, the Parliament decided that it would be better to use the categories from now on without the name categorisation. The categories are now simply called A, B, C and D. However, the conditions on which the categorisations are based remain the same. It remains to be seen whether water sports enthusiasts will now know more about the design capabilities of their yacht now that there is no categorisation beyond a simple letter.
Further regulations in detail
For example, it was stipulated that storage boxes in which petrol containers are stored, such as the canister for the dinghy, must be ventilated.
The definition of the term "recreational craft" was also precisely defined as being larger than 2.5 metres and smaller than 24 metres.
Outboards must be equipped with an emergency stop line. This is nothing new in Germany, but it is in other EU countries.
Recreational craft must have an easily accessible stowage space for life-saving equipment in sufficient numbers for the maximum number of persons authorised on board. This sounds sensible, but becomes difficult on open sailing dinghies, such as a Laser, which is by definition a recreational craft.
Anyone wishing to read these and other amendments in true "European" language can find the draft, which has now been adopted by Parliament, here.
