PHOTO COURTESY ABYC

The American Boat & Yacht Council last week released the results of a study that examined the effectiveness of its standards in enhancing boating safety. The analysis was conducted by the research firms Industrial Economics and ITA International.

According to the study, boats certified to ABYC standards are 43% to 47% less likely to be involved in certain types of accidents. Additionally, adherence to the standards reduces the likelihood of fatalities by 26% to 58% in accidents that do occur.

“Earlier assessments revealed that boats in compliance with ABYC standards are seven times less likely to be recalled by the USCG for safety issues, and we’ve always known the critical importance of ABYC standards in ensuring safe, reliable and enjoyable boating,” ABYC president John Adey said in a statement. “We are proud to share this independent, data-driven research that supports our efforts.”

The analysis was supported by two sources: the Boating Accident Report Database, a verified, historical record of boating accidents maintained by the Coast Guard, and a list of boats built to ABYC”s voluntary standards. The boats are identified through the NMMA certification program, which ensures compliance with ABYC standards through inspections.

“This important research confirms what many have believed anecdotally, which is recreational boats that are built to voluntary standards are less likely to be in certain accidents than those built to the Coast Guard’s minimum standards,” Jeff Ludwig, chief of the Coast Guard’s Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch, said in the statement. “In many cases, voluntary standards exceed the Coast Guard’s requirements, and this extra effort by some manufacturers should be noted by consumers.”