Maine-ah Needs Some Help!

[MaineAirboater]

In Maine we have about 20-30 guys (myself included) that use airboats for work everyday to harvest clams and bloodworms on the coast. As you can imagine, dragging 200lbs of clams a mile across 12” deep mud is not ideal when I could simply idle across the mud without making an unreasonable amount of noise. All the Maine airboaters I know are respectful and launch at reasonable hours, and with the minimum amount of rpms possible. Up here these boats are used tools which we greatly respect. There are no singular bad apples that are being intentionally disrespectful and creating this issue.

That’s what brings me here. In the past few days the department of Marine Resources has informed us of a proposed law (deadline for written comments is 12/11/20) which would implement the SAE standard motorboat sound limit requirements on all airboats. I have some questions which would be a huge help for us and any input would be greatly appreciated!

Also, I Just want to thank everyone on southern airboats for posting in these forums. The knowledge I’ve gained from reading your posts over the years has been invaluable! Thanks, Jay


What was your experience with noise regulations and the SAE standard motorboat level?

Would most boats pass or fail? Direct drive? Aviation motor? Or is belted reduction with a 4 bladed propellers the only option?

Are there any modifications that would make a boat pass?

What was the impact or unintended consequences of similar laws in your area?

Was there any sort of middle ground reached between airboaters and lawmakers? If so, what?

Would anyone be willing to submit written comments in regards to this law?

 

[Old Yeller]

Are the waters deemed US Navigable or the State of Maine?
Are they coastal & tidal?
Are you working the airboats as a commercial business?

 

[MaineAirboater]

Yes, we use our boats commercially and we're all self employed. They are Maine tidal waters and mud flats with each individual towns having jurisdiction down to the low water mark on an avg 0.0 tide. The proposed law is going to be a state law, not a singular town ordinance.

 

[Slidin Gator]

SAE has several different standards for noise emissions:

https://www.cpperformance.com/t-state_noise_laws.aspx

SAE J34: The most precise measurement available, taken of a boat at a distance of 50 ft. with wide-open throttle (the near maximum noise of the boat). Although great for engineering standards, it is difficult for enforcement purposes in the field. The Coast Guard recommends 86 decibels (dBA), which most states have adopted as law.

SAE J2005: This measures the engine sound at idle with the microphone 1.5 m away. SAE recommends a limit of 90dbA for this method, which does not account for the speed or power of the boat.

SAE J1970: In realizing the enforcement difficulties of the previous methods, SAE designed this shoreline noise test enabling regulations keeping the boat under 75 dBA at 50 ft. by operation, not mechanics. The operator is responsible for controlling the noise of the boat.

The J1970 regulation (75 dBa at 50 foot) would be the most difficult to meet for a boat under heavy throttle, but if you guys are just idling it might not be an issue as long as the regulation is limited to the nearshore mud flats (assuming you can run full throttle off the flats). From what you describe as typical operation, this might not be too difficult to meet. Get a noise meter app on your cell phone and do some testing.

The SAE J2005 90 dBa at 1.5m (5 feet) at idle should not be an issue with decent mufflers.

SAE J34 with a limit of 86 dB at 50 feet is pretty strict, you will probably need a throttle stop to keep it under 86 at 50 feet.

Florida has a muffler requirement (supposed to have them) with allowance for local ordinances to limit to 90 dBa at 50 feet. To meet the 90 dBa at 50 foot standard with a boat that runs good is not a low cost endeavor. Direct Drive (CM or AV) will not do well due to prop tip speed and noise, regardless of engine muffling. Geared (CM or AV) with good mufflers and low tip speed is the best route to meet this noise level.

I suggest you need to push for a compromise solution and use the boating noise laws around the country for comparison.

https://www.uscgboating.org/regulat...-details.php?id=19&title=[4.3]Motorboat Noise

 

[GMAC 76]

check with the Nebraska Airboat Association...they have a state wide db law that seems to working i believe...they have a web site to contact them

 

[Old Yeller]

A call to the local USCG should clarify if you're on state or Federal waters by asking if a captains license is required to carry passengers for hire. This is very interesting with the mega tide swings and running airscrew power on the mud flats during ebb tide. A very gray area as the definition of vessel includes transportation in/on "water". Running dry with airscrew power is no longer a "boat or vessel", it becomes some form of amphibious.
Commerce on US Navigable is federal Jurisdiction, my understanding is they extend to the high water mark. Would you be required to have a captains license during High Tide? Are any of your products sold in interstate commerce? This would really complicate the issue for them; US Constitution; Article I, Section 8 Commerce and Article III, Section 2 Maritime
Regulation and definition for US Navigable Waters:
https://www.govregs.com/regulations/expand/title33_chapterII_part329_section329.7

The manufacture of recreational airboats is Federal Jurisdiction, most under USCG Letter of Exemption, as you'll find in 33CFR Chapter I, Subchapter S. I find no regulation for db, or airscrew power, only a "Although great for engineering standards, it is difficult for enforcement purposes in the field. The Coast Guard recommends 86 decibels (dBA)..."
https://ecfr.io/Title-33/Volume-2/Chapter-I/Subchapter-S

IMO a very helpful statute is the preemptive Effect found in 46USC4306 which states in part; "...a State or political subdivision of a State may not establish, continue in effect, or enforce a law or regulation establishing a recreational vessel or associated equipment performance or other safety standard or imposing a requirement for associated equipment ..." Any state regulation applied to US Navigable Waters needs to be a copy of a CFR.
https://www.govregs.com/uscode/title46_subtitleII_partB_chapter43_section4306

just my opinion with an avenue to derail this early and avoid trying to comply with a db meter and needless regulations! I wish y'all the very best in keeping State regulators out of Federal boating regulations.