Understanding When You Need to Meet EPA Tier III generator requirements can be a challenge for even the most experienced boat builders.
To clarify the issues around Tier III generator requirements, Service Engineer, John Barnes at Energy Solutions a Northern Lights dealership, has prepared the following FAQ’s:
Under what circumstances is a boat obliged to install a Tier 3 generator set?
Tier 3 is required on any yacht that will or does carry a US flag, or any yacht that is built outside the US and imported for sale in the US.
Is Tier 3 required for a boat that is imported by a dealer into the USA – but flagged elsewhere when sold?
An engine that is EPA certified can leave and re-enter the US. An engine without an EPA certification cannot be used in the US, and if it is exported cannot be brought back into the US. A boat imported to the US for sale to the US market would need to be built to US standards. If then sold off shore by the broker or the owner it would still have the US EPA certified engine. If the new owner then wanted to change the generator to 50 Hz (turning down the engine speed to 1500 rpm) that would then void the EPA certificate.
Is Tier 3 required for a boat built now – flagged outside the US but then resold (at a future point) and then flagged in the US?
Lots of boats are built outside the US and imported to be sold and used in the US. The boat engines must be EPA certified.
When does/did this requirement come into force?
EPA Marine Tier 3 is the current US emission standard. It is being implemented in stages with the first stage starting in 2009 on engines 0.9/cyl, kW<19. The last stage starts Jan 1, 2018. Each stage is based on engine displacement and maximum horse power.
Is the requirement in any way linked to boat size?
Not to boat size, but to engine power. EPA Tier 3 applies to all marine engines up to 600 mkW. For engines above 600 mkW, Tier 4 applies.
Is the requirement in any way linked to engine power (i.e. is there an exemption on smaller generators)?
EPA Marine rules apply as noted above. What causes confusion is there is an EPA Tier 3 and Marpol Annex Tier 3. While the EPA rules (Tier 3, Tier 4) apply to all US certified engines the Marpol Tier 3 applies only to engines 130 mkW (174.3 hp) and above.
Is the date of the ‘stage’ determined by supply of the engine, the laying of the keel or the delivery of the boat?
Yes to all at varying degrees. As EPA Tier 3 turns on in stages, it only effects the emission Tier level of the engine based on the manufacturer’s build date. For example, an engine built December 30th could be a Tier 2 and one built on January 1 could be a Tier 3, if there was a rule change effective January 1.
Northern Lights does not have any models that will be effected by the Jan 1, 2018 change.
All of their EPA approved models are Tier 3 now, with no further changes planned by the EPA.