NO More dB Testing in NJ

SHARKEY-IMAGES · 08-10-2003, 07:24 AM

Thank you Roger Brown & the NJBRC...

Letter from the Asbury Park Press 8-8-03
Noise testing had to change
I would like to respond to several articles printed lately concerning boating noise and speed.
The Boat Regulation Commission takes umbrage to the remark by William deCamp Jr. of Save Barnegat Bay, stating that "A step was taken backward today" after our July 9 meeting. He was referring to noise regulation 13:82-4.2 (a), which states: "No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel or watercraft capable of emitting noise totaling in excess of 90 dba in or upon the waters of this state."

In order to check the allowable decibel level, it was required that the boat being checked would pass by the Police Boat at the highest speed possible. This was so dangerous that senior officers would not allow it. The second method used checked the boat at a dock, with the motor at "the lowest throttle setting in neutral gear." This could not produce conclusive results and has been discontinued.

Regulation 13:82-4.3 on muffling devices states: "Every outboard motor, inboard or inboard/outboard motor in use or attached to a vessel operating on the waters of this state shall be equipped with a muffling system as supplied by the manufacturer or installed by the owners."

As the pass-by and the dock test did not produce the results needed, it was suggested by the commission that all reference to the dba testing be removed from the regulations. The muffler requirement is to remain.

At the same time, the State Police have been placing "slow speed-no wake" buoys where needed. We believe that these two methods will both quiet the boats and also slow then down where necessary.

This was not the step backward. It was to clean up the regulations to obtain the results needed.

Roger Brown
CHAIRMAN
N.J. STATE BOAT REGULATION COMMISSION

Audiofn · 08-10-2003, 07:59 AM

Well that is good to hear. Sounds like they figured out that some things are better left undone. Not many boats would have passed a 90DB at WOT test, even pleasure cruisers. I would have liked to see them test my buddy's sport fisher at WOT. They would have been flipped by the wave that comes off the boat

GO4BROKE · 08-10-2003, 08:13 AM

Excellent news!!

CAP071 · 08-10-2003, 10:01 AM

Thank God soemone made a decision

Formula Outlaw · 08-10-2003, 10:46 AM

Government making an intelligent decision? I don't think I'm quite ready for this. Must be a dream.

Lucididee · 08-10-2003, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sharkeymarine
In order to check the allowable decibel level, it was required that the boat being checked would pass by the Police Boat at the highest speed possible. This was so dangerous that senior officers would not allow it.

Ya think!?!?

BODYSHOT1 · 08-10-2003, 04:00 PM

..glad they weren't out yesterday while we were testing!!

..no mufflers here....

SHARKEY-IMAGES · 08-10-2003, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BODYSHOT1
..glad they weren't out yesterday while we were testing!!

..no mufflers here....

That was you Marty?
Damn that thing sounds awesome!!!

BODYSHOT1 · 08-10-2003, 05:31 PM

..now if we can just make it thru a race!!..hope you can stop-by the pits Thurs, race is Friday...

Marty