Recreational Marine Preservation Act of 2006

The Recreational Marine Preservation Act of 2006 (H.R. 5256) proposes a 10-year statute of repose for lawsuits involving recreational boats and their equipment. Under this bill, manufacturers would generally be protected from civil lawsuits regarding personal injury, death, or property damage if the accident occurs more than 10 years after the boat was first delivered to a buyer or after a specific piece of equipment was installed.

For citizens, this means that if a boat or its components are older than 10 years, owners or passengers might be barred from suing the manufacturer for damages resulting from an accident, even if a defect is alleged. The bill aims to limit the long-term legal liability of boat builders and equipment manufacturers for aging vessels. While it was introduced in May 2006 and referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary, the bill did not advance further in the legislative process.