Exhibit 99.4


                    CHASE MANHATTAN MARINE OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                           ANNUAL ISSUER'S CERTIFICATE

                            COMPLIANCE WITH INDENTURE

         The undersigned certifies that he is an Authorized Officer of
Wilmington Trust Company, as Owner Trustee for Chase Manhattan Marine Owner
Trust 1997-A and that he is duly authorized to execute and deliver this
certificate on behalf of the Issuer in connection with Section 3.9 of the
Indenture between the Issuer and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A. formerly
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Indenture Trustee, dated as of
October 1, 1997 (the "Indenture"). All capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the respective meanings specified in the Indenture and the
Agreement.

         The undersigned further certifies that a review of the activities of
the Issuer for the preceding calendar year has been made under his supervision,
and to the best of his knowledge, the Issuer has fulfilled its obligations under
the Indenture for the 2003 calendar year.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have affixed hereto my signature as of
this 30th day of March 2004.

                                      CHASE MANHATTAN MARINE
                                      OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                                      BY: WILMINGTON TRUST
                                      COMPANY, as Owner Trustee


                                      s/ Linda C. Mack
                                      Name:  Linda C. Mack
                                      Title: Financial Services Officer

The CIT Group/Sales Financing, Inc., as Servicer, hereby requests that
Wilmington Trust Company execute the above Issuer's Certificate and deliver it
to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Indenture Trustee.

                                      THE CIT GROUP/SALES
                                      FINANCING, INC., as Servicer


                                            /s/ William L. Schumm
                                      -------------------------------
                                      Name:  William L. Schumm
                                      Title: Executive Vice President