ABYC Standards Week to be Held in Seattle in January

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) will be holding its 10^th Annual Standards Week January 7 to 11 at the Renaissance Hotel in Seattle, Washington.

ABYC is a nonprofit organization that develops the safety standards for the design, construction, maintenance and repair of recreational boats. ABYC Standards are the authoritative reference for evaluating issues of design, construction, maintenance and product performance in product liability lawsuits and are the basis of certification programs, marine surveys and legal judgements.

Standards Week is a critical step in the development of ABYC safety standards. Participation in the process is required from a diverse group of marine industry professionals, each with different perspectives and areas of expertise. Attendees learn what standards are being revised or newly considered and how it could affect the future of boating.

The week includes Project Technical Committee (PTC) meetings, ABYC’s annual meeting and a full-day Marine Law Symposium.

“ABYC Standards Week provides multiple platforms in one location for marine professionals to participate and contribute,” said Ward Eshleman, president of Ward’s Marine Electric. “This includes standards review and development in the PTC meetings, industry news and networking at the annual meeting, and professional career development at the Marine Law Symposium. I always view Standards Week as very important for my business gain.”

The PTC meetings and topics that will be covered this year include:

Electrical: Lithium Batteries, lightning protection, cathodic protection

Engine and Powertrain: On-water engine emissions testing, exhaust systems

Control Systems: Wireless controls, zone of protection, joystick requirements, dynamic positioning

Electrical Component: Galvanic isolators, battery switches, ignition protection

Hull and Deck Structures: Towed water sports attachment points, strong points, reboarding means, lifelines, windows and portlights

Navigation Lights and Sound Signals: LED navigation lights

Hull Piping: Bilge pumps, water systems, seacocks, thru-hull fittings

Product Interface: Owners and operators manuals, warnings and labels

More information on Standards Week, ABYC’s annual meeting, and the surrounding events can be found at www.abycstandardsweek.com.