California Opacity Testing
Green Yachts helps vessel operators comply with CARB opacity testing requirements. We hope the following information can help you understand opacity testing and why hiring Green Yachts to provide this service is a smart move.
To schedule opacity testing with Green Yachts, email opacity@greenyachtsales.com or phone at +1 (415) 843-6729.
California Opacity Testing Requirements
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) began requiring opacity testing for commercial harborcraft (CHC) with the amendments to the CHC regulations (Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 17, § 93118.5) that went into effect on January 1, 2023.
California vessel operators are required to complete opacity testing by March 31, 2024.
Why Green Yachts?
Green Yachts believes in offering service and value to our clients. Our service charge for opacity testing is less than half the price that some vendors charge. Why are we doing this? Because our mission at Green Yachts is to make it easy for California vessel operators to satisfy CARB requirements and to reduce their emissions. Our main focus is helping California vessel operators electrify their vessel and comply with ZEAT and ZEAT hybrid requirements. Beyond electrification, we want vessel operators in California with diesel engines to be able to hire us to do their opacity testing and see our passion for helping vessel operators comply with CARB emission requirements. In the future, it is our hope that when California vessel operators consider converting vessels to electric, that vessel operators will want to work with Green Yachts because we have shown the kind of service we offer through our opacity testing program.
Opacity Testing for Marine Vessels
Opacity testing has been done in diesel trucks for many years. CARB implemented this requirement for marine vessels in order to verify that the emissions created by each engine is what is allowed for its HP and EPA tier. Opacity testing is running an LED light through the exhaust and determining how much of the light was blocked by the emissions. For wet exhaust systems, this would mean measuring the opacity before the exhaust is mixed with raw water, something that Green Yachts and most vessel operators considers to be unsafe and/or unfeasible. It is for this reason that Green Yachts has proposed an alternate methodology for wet exhaust systems (see below).
Dry Exhaust Systems
An opacity meter is used to perform a J1667 snap test by holding the opacity meter over the end of the dry exhaust system and taking a series of six 15 second opacity measurements.
Wet Exhaust Systems
Green Yachts is the only opacity testing vendor that has submitted a CHC (k)(1)(d) alternative methodology for approval by the CARB E.O. The Green Yachts alternative methodology does NOT require drilling holes or diverting exhaust into a vessel’s engine compartment. Our technicians perform a non-invasive engine and exhaust system diagnostic performed by an ABYC certified diesel engine mechanic. The technician analyzes the key engine and exhaust system components that allow an engine/exhaust system to maintain emission outputs within target emission levels for the designated engine EPA Tier.
Opacity Testing Pricing
Some vendors charge $1500 per engine to conduct opacity testing. Green Yachts charges the following for opacity testing:
Advanced Payment
$450
for each engine on site per day
Pay After Service
$550
for each engine on site per day
Green Yachts Opacity Testing Service
Green Yachts will do the following when you sign up to do opacity testing:
- Schedule the service with a certified mechanic on a date that works for your operations
- Conduct opacity testing on dry exhaust systems and a CARB approved alternative method diagnostic on wet exhaust systems
- Provide vessel operators with useful information about their engine/exhaust systems that is not provided by diesel mechanic routine inspections or other opacity testing vendors
- Provide vessel operators with completed documentation to submit to CARB regarding opacity testing
- Work with you and other vessel operators to provide feedback to CARB that makes opacity testing more feasible for vessel operators to perform
To schedule opacity testing with Green Yachts, email opacity@greenyachtsales.com or phone at +1 (415) 843-6729.