SUSTAINABILITY IN BOATING
Recycling shipping materials and beyond have been a starting point for many manufacturers in sustainability .
The NMMA has been presenting around the US with partners on renewable and sustainable fuels .
very low hours used per year .
Yamaha ’ s Martin Peters indicated that the replacement rate for boats is about 2 % per year and the replacement rate for automobiles is about 20 %. “ If we electrify every single thing – which isn ’ t feasible , but let ’ s say we did – and we were to sell nothing but electrified products , it would still take more than 40 years to achieve carbon neutrality for the recreational fleet ,” Peters said .
With this in mind , the NMMA and a coalition of manufacturers have been directing efforts into the research of renewable or more sustainable fuels for use in marine applications .
At both the 2023 Miami International Boat Show and American Boating Congress , NMMA and industry stake holders hosted an event highlighting sustainable marine fuels . Wasil explained that there are currently three fuels out there ready for use in marine applications – a 100 % renewable diesel fuel , a partially-renewable biologically-derived gasoline and biobutanol .
Suzuki Marine put the EcoGen90 sustainable marine fuel from VP Racing to the ultimate test , leading up to the 2023 American Boating Congress . The team at Suzuki embarked on a 940-mile journey from Florida up to Washington D . C . aboard a 26-foot Sea Pro fueled exclusively by the EcoGen90 .
“ We undertook this voyage in support of NM- MA ’ s initiative to educate and inform the industry , policy makers and the boating public about alternative marine fuels ,” said George “ Gus ” Blakely , Suzuki Marine Executive Vice President Sales & Service . “ There are roughly 12 million gasoline
powered boats across American today , so these new fuels offer a real opportunity for boaters and the boating industry to make an impact and lessen our environmental footprint . Not only are these fuels formulated with renewable content , but they also produce substantially fewer emissions and even provide boaters with enhanced performance and reliability . This is a win-win for boaters , the industry , and the environment .”
Wasil explained that NMMA is continuing to work with all of the industry ’ s leading manufacturers to explore sustainable marine fuel options as a means to decarbonize the existing boating fleet across the U . S .
“ Our job as an association is to bring the entire industry together to help solve common issues and problems . Approaching sustainability in our industry with a collective voice is what ’ s really important ,” Wasil said .
“ We need to keep evolving within relationships across the industry and beyond , because relationships are very important and are what allow us to share information and insights to continue moving all of us forward into a better future ,” Peters said .
Challenges ahead
Despite successes and a variety of goals in place , there ’ s always room to grow . And as with most things – especially compared to other industries – sustainability in the marine space comes with its own set of challenges from a harsh operating environment to various regulations and more .
“ I think everyone is aware of the drive and need to be more sustainable , but one of the biggest challenges I see is that some states have a lot of support for renewable energy and some of them don ’ t ,” Yamaha ’ s Peters said . “ The regulations and the support for certain activities are all different from state to state . And that ’ s what I see as one of the biggest challenges , because the marine industry is spread across to just about every state in this country .”
However , industry advocates are working toward new levels of sustainability and a better understanding of regulations and support from legislation day in and day out .
“ We have to make sure that we know our members of congress in the districts where we ’ re located . We have to make sure that we advocate . We have to make sure that we build relationships at the state and federal level ,” Peters said . “ We cannot afford to not be active in these areas .”
Whether by a top-down overhaul of the way you do business , or implementing small changes step-bystep , our industry is banding together on sustainable efforts for a better tomorrow and to ensure our waterways are well-preserved for all to enjoy .
“ Success breeds success , so when you accomplish sustainability goals and milestones it only further fuels both your individual organization and the entire industry to continue forward in a sustainable journey ,” Brunswick ’ s Koenig said .
“ This is something that we have to educate people about , the continued need for conservation . It ’ s a drum that we have to keep pounding ,” Peters added . “ The fundamental idea behind sustainability is we need the resource ( s ) to be able to keep doing what we enjoy doing . And we can ’ t let anyone forget that .”
www . boatingindustry . com august 2023
23