NMMA adds new certification standards

The National Marine Manufacturers Association says its boat and yacht certification program added two new standards for model-year 2012, making it stronger and more comprehensive.

The new standards are gasoline and propane detection systems and galvanic isolators.

"Safety and quality design are of the utmost importance for boaters and prospective buyers, and as the only boat and yacht certification program in the U.S., NMMA Certified helps them find the best boats on the market," said Robert Newsome, director of NMMA Engineering Standards, who oversees the NMMA certification program, in a statement. "We've made great strides over the last five years to create a more stringent program to ensure recreational boats are safer than ever before as we continuously look for ways to improve the boating experience."

A boat must meet 47 categories of standards to become NMMA-certified. NMMA has added 15 new sets of standards in the last five years, including electric/electronic propulsion control systems in model-year 2008 and anchoring, mooring and strong points in model-year 2010.

Click here for additional information on the NMMA certification program and participating manufacturers.