Mercury Marine has been presented the first ever 2001 Environmental Leadership Award from the Bluewater Network, a national environmental organization protecting public waters, lands and ecosystems.
The presentation was made to Mercury, the world leader in marine propulsion and a division of the BrunswickCorporation.
“We are pleased to present Mercury Marine with the 2001 Environmental Leadership Award for taking the lead in the development of ultra-low emissions engines and for its commitment to sell only low-emission direct fuel injected (DFI) and four-stroke engines in the United States and Canada beginning in the 2006 model year,” said Bluewater Network executive director Russell Long.
“The California Air Resource Board (CARB) implemented, for the 2001 model year, some of the most stringent standards ever developed to regulate marine engine emissions,” said Long. “These standards award a ‘three star-ultra low emission’ designation to only the cleanest outboard engines. Mercury currently produces more engine models that qualify for the three star rating than any other marine engine manufacturer,” he added.
“Finally, we commend Mercury for voluntarily investing heavily in clean engine technology, voluntarily developing an indoor test facility designed to reduce noise, air and water emissions in an effort to manage boating and fishing habitat as a sustainable resource,” said Long.
Well before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency directives, Mercury Marine took the industry lead in the early ’80s, to begin developing the low emissions technology for the future.
Many of these direct injection two-stroke technology marine products are now in the marketplace exceeding the EPA’s 2006 emissions standards.
The Mercury 135 OptiMax is one primary example: It’s the first and only direct fuel injected two-stroke outboard to achieve certification at the CARB Ultra Clean 3-Star exhaust emissions level — one of the most stringent state EPA administrations in the nation.
This same engine is marketed throughout the nation, with no special changes just for California.
“We are proud to accept this award and endorsement from the Bluewater Network,” said George Buckley, Brunswick Corporation chairman and CEO.
“Our commitment to innovation will keep Mercury at the forefront of legislative and customer preference trends,” said Buckley. “Mercury expects to maintain its leadership position in low-emission technology by continuing to invest heavily in new product development,” he added. “Customers are demanding the features and benefits that these products deliver.”
Headquartered in Lake Forest, Ill., Brunswick Corporation is a global marketer and manufacturer of leading consumer brands including Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; Sea Ray, Bayliner and Maxum pleasure boats; Baja high-performance boats; Boston Whaler and Trophy offshore fishing boats; LifeFitness, Hammer Strength and ParaBody fitness equipment; Brunswick bowling centers, equipment and consumer products; and Brunswick billiards tables.
By: Mercury Marine
