Source: https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/preemption-prevails-in-watercraft-case-12093/
Timestamp: 2019-05-19 23:30:06
Document Index: 160244047

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4305', '§ 13110', '§ 13110', '§ 4302', '§ 4302', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 4305', '§ 4305', '§ 4301', '§ 4301', '§ 13110', '§ 13110']

Preemption prevails in watercraft case under Federal Boat Safety Act | Thompson Coburn LLP - JDSupra
The FBSA contains a provision for granting exemptions to boat manufacturers for certain vessels that cannot comply with Coast Guard safety standards because of their design or construction. Under the FBSA, “[i]f the Secretary considers that recreational vessel safety will not be adversely affected, the Secretary may issue an exemption from this chapter or a regulation prescribed under this chapter.” 46 U.S.C. § 4305. A boat manufacturer petitions for an exemption from regulations by sending the Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Product Assurance Division a letter describing the boat for which the exemption is sought, the reasons why the application of a regulation is impractical or unreasonable, and providing data or information that demonstrate why boating safety will not be adversely affected. To obtain an exemption, the manufacturer must show that the boat for which the exemption is sought achieves an acceptable level of safety in keeping with the intent of Federal boating safety laws. Over the years, the Coast Guard has granted exemptions from the regulations with respect to certain non-conventional boats including personal watercraft, airboats, hovercraft, submarines, drift boats, race boats, and mini bass boats.
Rollins v. Bombardier Recreational Products
[1] Congress expressly limits Advisory Council membership to those “whom the Secretary considers to have a particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in recreational boating safety.” 46 U.S.C. § 13110(a). The Advisory Council is comprised of seven representatives from each of three industry groups: (1) “State officials responsible for State boating safety programs;” (2) “recreational vessel manufacturers and associated equipment manufacturers;” and (3) “national recreational boating organizations and [ ] the general public[.]” Id., § 13110(b)(1).
§ 4302. Regulations , 46 U.S.C. § 4302
Louisiana Public Service Commission v. Federal Communications Commission , 476 U.S. 355 (1986)
§ 1.46 Office of Public Affairs , 49 C.F.R. § 1.46
Rollins v. Bombardier Recreational Prods., Inc. , 366 P.3d 33 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015)
§ 4305. Exemptions , 46 U.S.C. § 4305
Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine , 537 U.S. 51 (2002)
§ 4301. Application , 46 U.S.C. § 4301
§ 13110. National Boating Safety Advisory Council , 46 U.S.C. § 13110