Commercial boatbuilders to benefit from delay in lower-emission engines

A delay in installing certain types of diesel marine engines with stricter emission standards was hailed by Maine’s Congressional delegation as a help to the state's commercial boatbuilders.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing additional lead time for developing and installing “Tier 4” diesel marine engines that will meet stricter emission standards in certain types of commercial vessels, including lobster boats, according to a news release.

The proposal would allow for continued installation of higher-emission “Tier 3” engines for certain vessels if suitable Tier 4 engines continue to be unavailable.

Due to the unique design of Maine lobster boats, there are currently no Tier 4-compliant diesel engines on the market that can safely fit in the vessels, according to a joint statement from U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, and U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District and Jared Golden, D-Maine 2nd District.

“This delay in the implementation of the Tier 4 emission standards for commercial lobster-style boats should provide engine manufacturers time to design and certify engines that will both comply with Tier 4 emission standards and work safely and efficiently in these boats,” the statement said. “It also prevents lobstermen from being burdened by requirements that are impossible to meet with the currently available technology.”

The standards, which range from Tier 1 to Tier 4, are part of the EPA’s national marine diesel engine program. The tiers represent a range of technologies that treat exhaust gas or reduce harmful emissions.

The Tier 4 standard includes exhaust treatment technology to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, and was expected to phase in from 2014 to 2017 for commercial marine engines of the size used in lobster boats.

According to dieselnet.com, an EPA regulation from 2008 introduced Tier 3 and Tier 4 emission standards for marine diesel engines that are typically installed in vessels such as tugboats, pushboats, supply vessels, fishing vessels and other commercial vessels.

The Tier 4 emission standard uses a method that mixes a nitrogen oxide-neutralizing fluid and exhaust gases in a catalytic converter.

EPA’s proposal is expected to help boatbuilders whose production capabilities have been impacted by a lack of certified engines available with the desired size and power characteristics.