At press time, the American Boat & Yacht Council Technical Department (whose members usually write this column) was deeply involved in preparations for Standards Week 2023 — the biggest week of the year for many professionals and organizations in the marine industry, and certainly for the ABYC. So I’m stepping in this month to explain how the process of standards development works and to debunk some common misconceptions.
Standards are a full-time mission for the ABYC that goes beyond simply putting out a new supplement every July. As an organization built on a tradition of common-sense and real-world experiences, the ABYC works on standards development year-round with its Project Technical Committees. The PTC subcommittees also meet throughout the year, preparing data and draft reports for the full PTC meetings.
In addition, to support standards development and general boating safety, the ABYC is involved in projects with the Coast Guard. This effort may include product testing and investigations conducted in-house, with contractors and with independent laboratories.
Many people are aware of the Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft, but sometimes people fail to realize that the ABYC is the organization behind writing what’s colloquially known as the “big blue book.” The annual supplement is a collaboratively developed publication, with the ABYC Technical Department answering standards-based questions and providing tools to assist the industry.
A common misconception is that larger companies dominate the standards-development process. In fact, the standards are developed using an American National Standards Institute-accredited, consensus-based approach with experts from many backgrounds. These experts include consumers, surveyors, insurance representatives, boatbuilders, engine and accessory manufacturers, those with general boating interest, and people in the government. The technical committees are packed with engineers and data-crunchers who provide input for the standards drafts and updates.
According to rules and regulations dictated by ANSI, each PTC must have an even balance, from large corporations to one-person shops. The ABYC is required to ensure that equal consideration is granted to anyone “materially affected” by the standards. As ABYC president John Adey explains: “Everyone is equal in the eyes of standards development.”
This year, the PTCs are reviewing the standards within control systems, electrical, firefighting and detection systems, fuel and ventilation systems, and thermal appliances. At 2023 Standards Week, thanks to a Coast Guard grant, the ABYC is hosting task forces on electric propulsion and autonomous vessels. The results of these sessions and PTC meetings throughout the spring and early summer will be available later this year in Supplement 63, which will apply to model year 2025 products.
As we wait for outcomes from the 2023 standards discussions, keep in mind that the technical tools for the 2024 model year are available now. A video overview of those changes is available on the ABYC website. That video will be updated when Supplement 63 is published this summer.
The ABYC consistently promotes Standards Week and the “big blue book” because they’re the foundation for everything the organization does, from education to certification to workforce development to industry training. The ABYC is about overall boating safety internationally.
Sarah Devlin is accreditation director at the American Boat & Yacht Council.
This article was originally published in the February 2023 issue.
