How Loud? DB level Law

[Skip]

Here's the law:


Motorboat Noise Levels
Section 270:37
270:37 Decibel Limits on Noise. –
I. No person may operate, sell, or offer for sale any marine engine which is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the following noise levels measured under any testing procedure established pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 270:39:
(a) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 90 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(b) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 88 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(c) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 84 decibels on the ""A'' scale, measured at 50 feet.
(d) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 82 decibels on the ""A'' scale, measured at 50 feet.
II. The director or the director's agent may order the operator or owner of any boat which he or she has articulable suspicion to believe is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the decibel limits contained in this section to subject the boat to one or more noise level testing procedures as provided in this subdivision or to inspection of the engine and mechanical systems for violations of this section or RSA 270:25.
III. A boat owner or operator shall submit a boat which is the subject of an order by the director or the director's agent pursuant to RSA 270:37, II to noise level testing by the director or the director's agent immediately or at the time and location designated by the director or the director's agent. No person shall operate the boat after the time designated until it is subjected to such noise level testing or engine and mechanical system inspection.
IV. The director or the director's agent may prohibit the operator or owner of any boat which fails a noise level testing procedure from operating the boat until the boat successfully passes the procedure. No person shall operate a boat contrary to such an order of the director.
V. Pursuant to the penalties imposed under RSA 270: 41-a, any person convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than $250. No portion of any fine imposed under this section shall be suspended or reduced by the court.

[SAMIAM]

Makes me wonder.........a person with a $200K Fountain has got to run 88db but anyone with $3K can run around on and old Harley with staight pipes at 110 db.......or more.Go figure.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Makes me wonder.........a person with a $200K Fountain has got to run 88db but anyone with $3K can run around on and old Harley with staight pipes at 110 db.......or more.Go figure.

I'd prefer it if both were quiet. Loud bikes are worse though.

[Michael Venoit]

Skip,
Thanks for the info on the law as I was looking for it today as I want to be able to comply with the law in NH how ever silly it maybe. As Samiam posted a harley can run a pipe out the side with no one on them as the masses will fight to keep that off the list of things to comply. I boat in 3 states most summers and NH is the primay so I want to make sure im left alone with my family on this boat. I also have a Ski boat that im told is not a problem as to being to loud as that runs the Motor pipes onder the water.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse! Funny you have this as part of your post so I would say your a cop or a Lawyer? I also have the chance to hear about the Ignorance.
Thanks for the Reply and SAFE Boating to ALL

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Makes me wonder.........a person with a $200K Fountain has got to run 88db but anyone with $3K can run around on and old Harley with staight pipes at 110 db.......or more.Go figure.

The straight piped bikes are illegal too. The rules do get enforced but not as frequently as they should. I was talking to a guy 2 years ago at bike week who received a ticket- $42

[Winni4Life11]

Originally Posted by Skip

Here's the law:


Motorboat Noise Levels
Section 270:37
270:37 Decibel Limits on Noise. –
I. No person may operate, sell, or offer for sale any marine engine which is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the following noise levels measured under any testing procedure established pursuant to rules adopted under RSA 270:39:
(a) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 90 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(b) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 88 decibels when subjected to stationary testing.
(c) For a marine engine manufactured in or before 1990, a noise level of 84 decibels on the ""A'' scale, measured at 50 feet.
(d) For a marine engine manufactured after December 31, 1990, a noise level of 82 decibels on the ""A'' scale, measured at 50 feet.
II. The director or the director's agent may order the operator or owner of any boat which he or she has articulable suspicion to believe is capable of being operated in a manner which exceeds the decibel limits contained in this section to subject the boat to one or more noise level testing procedures as provided in this subdivision or to inspection of the engine and mechanical systems for violations of this section or RSA 270:25.
III. A boat owner or operator shall submit a boat which is the subject of an order by the director or the director's agent pursuant to RSA 270:37, II to noise level testing by the director or the director's agent immediately or at the time and location designated by the director or the director's agent. No person shall operate the boat after the time designated until it is subjected to such noise level testing or engine and mechanical system inspection.
IV. The director or the director's agent may prohibit the operator or owner of any boat which fails a noise level testing procedure from operating the boat until the boat successfully passes the procedure. No person shall operate a boat contrary to such an order of the director.
V. Pursuant to the penalties imposed under RSA 270: 41-a, any person convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than $250. No portion of any fine imposed under this section shall be suspended or reduced by the court.

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Very informative!