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QUALIFIED MOTORBOATS

This term was coined to describe the differences in complexity, and risk, associated with many of the research motorboats in the Class II motorboat category. Class A and I motorboats (boats less than 26 feet) can be candidates for qualification as well. However, the 26 to 40 foot boats tend to encompass a wide range of vessels which are cause for much debate and confusion when attempting to apply requirements, regulations, laws, or standards to the entire spectrum of boats in this length class. The result is a "gray" area where simple recreational vessel designs coincide with larger and more complex commercial vessel designs. Since reasonable and uniform application of rules and standards becomes nearly impossible the need to qualify Class II motorboats based on complexity of engineering systems and operations became obvious.

To illustrate this point, compare the two Class II motorboats described in the table below. It becomes obvious that the operation of one of these boats is, and should, be subject to more stringent requirements for everything from operator training to configurations of fuel piping and bilge pumping systems, when compared to the other boat. The two fictitious boats used to illustrate this "gray" are:

NOAA'S QUALIFIED CLASS II MOTORBOATS

1. R/V TATOOSH, 38', Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, Port Angeles, WA
2. R/V Unnamed, 40', Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve, Hawaii
3. R/V STANLEY P. HAYES, 38', Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory

QUALIFYING CRITERIA

These boats above represent only a handful of vessels that have been evaluated by OMAO Small Boat Engineers or Line Office Senior Field Managers and found to meet a number of the qualfying criteria. These criteria include, but are not limited to:

1. Operations in remote locations,
2. Propulsion via inboard engine(s),
3. A/C electrical power generated from engine powered generator sets separate from propulsion engines,
4. Significant or power assisted weight handling included as part of standard operations,
5. Carriage of passengers (VIPs, tours, service organizations, observing guests, members of the media),
6. Outfitted with Type II MSD, galley, and other habitability systems, and/or,
7. Capable of greater than 12 hour operations

The degree to which a boat or her operations meets the criteria listed above plays a role in whether or not the boat will actually be deemed to be a Qualified motorboat. Further guidance and determination of whether or not your boat is a qualified motorboat, and what all this means in terms of regulatory requirements, can be provided by contacting the NOAA Small Boat Program Coordinator or an OMAO Small Boat Engineer.