There's proof in numbers: According to data collected by the U.S. Coast Guard in 2006, a boat that is certified by the National Marine Manufacturer's Association (NMMA) is five times less likely to be in an accident than a boat that is not certified.

Certified boats are also seven times less likely to be recalled. The Coast Guard issued 207 recalls during 2001 (the latest year for which data is available). Of those, only three were NMMA certified models.

NMMAThe inspector goes through his notes with Tim Chalfant, Jupiter's marine architect.

This data makes a good case that a vessel inspected and certified by the NMMA is a better, safer boat. The association is a trade group that represents the majority of the marine manufacturers in the United States, and the certification program created a set of voluntary standards for these manufacturers. In order to gain certification, boat builders must meet these standards.

But what exactly does NMMA certification entail? How does it have an impact on the boat you're buying? To find out, I spent a day with inspector Tim Pitts, and followed him as he put a brand new Viking–several of them, actually–to the NMMA test.

THE INSPECTION

Pitts arrives at a factory armed with a 280–point inspection list derived from the standards set by the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC). These are the guidelines the NMMA uses to certify boats, and the check list covers everything from electrical wiring to plumbing to safety features and a great deal more.

NMMATaking measurements on the reboarding ladder, to ensure it hangs down at least 12 inches below the water line.

The tools Pitts uses in his inspection include a flashlight, a tape measure and a magnifying glass. Why is he qualified for the job? Pitts has had 25 years of experience in the Coast Guard, which included inspecting naval vessels in Guantanamo Bay. He is one detail–oriented guy. Slowly but surely, he checks off the items on his list as he inspects a boat.

Naturally, one person can't inspect all of the models put out by the hundreds of boat builders currently in the inspection program. So the NMMA has a team of 10 inspectors who operate in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. These guys are not NMMA employees; instead, the NMMA contracts with them to ensure that inspections are done by impartial, unbiased observers. They have no stake in whether a particular builder or model passes the program, so objectivity is ensured. Each inspector works with one of two checklists, one for boats up to 26 feet and one for boats longer than 26 feet, which are classified as yachts.

On the job with Pitts, we looked at the same boat in different phases of construction. This allowed us to view areas of the boat that will eventually be hidden away, such as a sealed bulkhead, which won't be visible by the time the boat reaches the showroom. 

Standing at the helm of a half–completed Viking Convertible, I watched as Tim grabed the steering wheel and gave it a yank. "Nice and solid," he says. He then turns his attention to the grab rails, grabs them one by one, and slides his hand back and forth. When his hand reaches the end of the railing, he removes it with ease. He explains: "If the manufacturer mounts a rail at an angle sharper than 45–degrees, it'll trap your knuckle. Ouch. That's a problem we see on a lot of un–inspected boats."

When you're checking out a new boat, look for the NMMA seal of certification.

With this cool new tidbit of info filed away in my brain, I watched Tim check out every rail on the boat. Then he moved on to the running lights. He checked them to be sure the parts Viking is installing are all on the NMMA's "Type Accepted" list. Because builders use so many pieces and parts from different suppliers, the NMMA maintains a list of components that have been tested and meet applicable ABYC standards.

MANUFACTURER COMPLIANCE

After we reviewed the same Viking in three stages of construction, Tim and I went to the docks. There, a completed boat was waiting for us in the water, where the final checks were performed. I leaned over Tim's shoulder and tried to sneak a peak at his clipboard. So far, so good–every box had a check, and no variances were spotted.

When an issue is spotted, it won't be a confrontational situation. That's because the program gives the manufacturer a 30–day window to fix any problems that are identified. In fact, they even provide suggestions on the best way to make a correction.