It's in the ECM and similar to the OBDII port on modern autos, only instead
of a universal code reader it requires a Merc scanner.
It is not a USB port.
Engine running hours (as opposed to key on engine off) can be accessed along
with a lot of other data.
I would urge anyone looking to purchase a used boat so equipped to have the
ECM dumped to check against meter hours......since it's pretty easy to put
whatever hours you wish on a new meter and swap it out.

"jay" wrote in message
...
I ran into someone else on the river today.. at the marina actually... who
had a sea ray a few years older than mine..
He made mention that sea ray started putting a USB port in their engine
compartment a few years ago that read the hours on the engine with some
device that the dealer would have..

Has anyone ever heard of this, or is this guy smoking crack?

-j