The American Boat & Yacht Council announced that its Standards Week conference in Charleston, S.C., will include an exploratory subcommittee meeting focusing on efoils and powered surfboards.
The session, scheduled for Jan. 12, follows a request from the Coast Guard to evaluate the need for standards addressing these expanding segments of the boating market.
“This meeting is a critical first step in evaluating how ABYC standards can support safe innovation in emerging watercraft technologies,” Brian Goodwin, director of standards and compliance, said in a statement. “Federal regulations lag behind market evolution, and ABYC standards provide the marine industry with practical, consensus-based guidance that enhances safety and supports responsible growth.”
Topics under consideration include:
• emergency cut-off mechanisms
• capacity
• battery and electrical system safety
• on-product warnings and labeling
ABYC’s Standards Week will take place Jan. 11-15.
