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VOLUNTARY BOAT TESTING PROGRAM
The Coast Guard has implemented a no cost program
to test recreational boats, voluntarily provided by a manufacturer,
for compliance with the following Federal safety standards:
Safe Loading, Safe Powering, and Flotation. Under this program,
manufacturers may request compliance testing early in a production
run. Early testing can minimize the financial risk associated
with Coast Guard imposed recalls and reduce the number of
non-complying boats reaching the public.
Points to consider for this voluntary program
are:
- Testing is free.
- Boats provided are to be less than
twenty feet in length.
- Boats that fail testing will be retested
after the manufacturer’s corrections are made.
- If the boat fails testing and the
number of boats in the production run is small a formal
recall will not be implemented; however, all boats in the
production run are expected to be corrected.
- If the boat fails testing and the
number of boats in the production run is significant, a
formal recall may be implemented. Therefore, test early
in a production run to minimize the risk of a recall.
- The manufacturer may bring in boats
for testing, or the Coast Guard will pick up and return
boats, at no charge, that are voluntarily provided.
- Manufacturers may witness testing
and ask questions about testing methods, techniques, and
procedures.
- Boats voluntarily provided may have
1/4 inch holes drilled at selected location on the top sides
and sole to let air escape during testing.
- Boats provided will be submerged for
18 hours before testing. Flotation foam in the boat may
absorb water during this process and may retain this water
after testing.
We encourage you to consider voluntary compliance
testing as part of your business strategy. It is free, it
helps ensure that your product meets minimum safety standards,
and it reduces the risk of a costly recall campaign in the
future. If you would like more information about voluntary
boat testing or Federal safety standards, please contact the
Office of Boating Safety at 202-372-1073.
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