PHOTO COURTESY ABYC

The American Boat & Yacht Council has published Supplement 64 of Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft. The publication provides updates to boatbuilding and repair standards used for more than 90% of boats built in North America.

The supplement includes comprehensive updates to 10 standards and two technical information reports, introducing safety enhancements related to navigation lights, attachment points (for ski pylons, wakeboard towers and inflatables) and helm visibility.

“ABYC actively collaborates with industry stakeholders, including boatbuilders, equipment manufacturers and regulatory bodies, to ensure the standards in Supplement 64 are practical, relevant and aligned with global requirements while maintaining a high level of safety,” technical director Brian Goodwin said in a statement.

Goodwin cited the update to H-1, Field of Vision from the Helm Position, as an example.

“The ability of the boat operator to see their surroundings is a critical safety element,” he said. “Simply put, you cannot avoid what you cannot see.”

The Hull and Deck Structures Project Technical Committee conducted an in-depth study of the towing attachment points for water skiing, wakeboarding and inflatable water toys. “This multiyear project captured actual loads for these activities,” Goodwin said. “The result is an installed performance test for these attachment points in the revised H-40, Anchoring, Mooring and Strong Points.”

Updated standards and technical information reports include:

• A-16, Installation of Electric Navigation Lights

• A-22, Compressed Natural Gas Systems

• A-28, Galvanic Isolators

• H-1, Field of Vision from the Helm Position

• H-3, Exterior Windows, Windshields, Hatches, Doors, Portlights and Glazing Materials

• H-29, Canoes and Kayaks

• H-40, Anchoring, Mooring and Strong Points

• P-4, Inboard Engines and Transmissions

• C-5, Construction and Testing of Electric Navigation Lights

• C-1500, Ignition Protection Test Methods

• T-17, Compass Installation

• T-24, Owner/Operator’s Manuals

ABYC will host a complimentary webinar Aug. 14 to give an overview of the updates and available compliance resources.

Supplement 64 is available for purchase here.