Exhibit 99.5


                                  CERTIFICATION

                       Chase Manhattan Marine Owner Trust
                           Series 1997-A (the "Trust")

I, William L. Schumm, an Executive Vice President in charge of the servicing
function of The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as servicer for the
above-referenced Trust, certify that:

1.       I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K, and all reports on
         Form 8-K containing distribution or servicing reports filed in respect
         of periods included in the year covered by this annual report, of the
         Trust;

2.       Based on my knowledge, the information in these reports, taken as a
         whole, does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
         to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in
         light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not
         misleading as of the last day of the period covered by this annual
         report;

3.       Based on my knowledge, the distribution or servicing information
         required to be provided to the trustee by the servicer under the sale
         and servicing agreement for inclusion in these reports is included in
         these reports;

4.       I am responsible for reviewing the activities performed by the servicer
         under the sale and servicing agreement and based upon my knowledge and
         the annual compliance review required under the sale and servicing
         agreement and except as disclosed in the reports, the servicer has
         fulfilled its obligations under the sale and servicing agreement; and

5.       This annual report discloses all significant deficiencies relating to
         the servicer's compliance with the minimum servicing standards based
         upon the report provided by an independent public accountant, after
         conducting a review in compliance with the Uniform Single Attestation
         Program for Mortgage Bankers or similar procedure, as set forth in the
         sale and servicing agreement, that is included in this annual report.





Date:    March 28, 2003

/s/ William L. Schumm
- -------------------------------
Name:    William L. Schumm
Title:   Executive Vice President
The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc.