At the IBEX Industry Breakfast in Tampa, Fla., this past October, Steve Heese, president and CEO of Chris-Craft, was honored with the National Marine Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame Award. In his acceptance speech, Heese addressed younger marine professionals: “I want to encourage you to get involved in the industry, which has brought me rewards beyond reproach. It’s in your control — join an ABYC committee, attend the American Boating Congress, get involved in NMMA and contribute to BoatPAC. You’ll soon realize that you get a whole lot more out than you put in.”
You’ve likely heard from the ABYC about getting involved in standards development. Like Heese, we hold fast to the notion that involvement in standards development is one of the most vital ways you can contribute to the safety and evolution of the boating industry. Admittedly, those of us who work for the ABYC might be a little biased, so we are passing the proverbial mic to the people in the ABYC Project Technical Committee meetings. These people set the standard for safer boating.
We asked three longtime PTC and ABYC technical board members to tell us about their experiences. Dave Marlow is senior director of product integrity at Brunswick Corp. Ron Berman is vice president of engineering at Chris-Craft. Wendy Sanders is principal engineer at Explico.
Here’s what they had to say. Their responses have been lightly edited for clarity and space.
How have you seen ABYC standards influence safety and product quality?
Marlow: ABYC standards provide detailed guidance on critical systems: electrical, fuel, flotation and more. They ensure boats are designed and built to minimize risks like carbon monoxide exposure, electrical faults and structural failures. These standards have driven measurable improvements in boating safety over decades, correlating with a significant reduction in accidents and fatalities.
Berman: By applying ABYC standards throughout our design, engineering and manufacturing processes, we mitigate product safety risks and elevate overall quality. These standards serve as a foundational framework for a robust product development process and a disciplined quality-assurance system. They provide clear, actionable requirements that help us reduce risk for our company and our customers.
Sanders: Because the ABYC PTCs are composed of industry professionals, we do more than collaborate on the “tried and true” safety measures and quality assurance processes. We also keep abreast of new trends in technology and product use to ensure that the standards maintain best practices for the industry.
What impact has your involvement had on your company, your career or the boating public?
Marlow: This work has allowed Brunswick to stay ahead of regulatory changes and emerging technologies — electric propulsion, lithium-ion batteries and advanced safety systems — by shaping standards before they become mandates. ABYC involvement and participating in standards development has been such an important part of my growth in the industry and at Brunswick. I’ve been able to work with other compliance professionals within our company, and help them become better auditors, apply requirements and teach our floor employees. It’s been very rewarding. It has also allowed me the opportunity to expand my horizons within ABYC’s leadership, work closely with the NMMA and the Coast Guard, and lead key ISO committees for standards development in the European Union.
Berman: My involvement with ABYC Project Technical Committees has allowed me to collaborate with cross-functional, cross-industry teams to apply the latest data, trends and insights to continuously improve how boats are designed, built and tested. Over the past 70 years, ABYC’s work has contributed to measurable safety improvements. Boats built and certified to ABYC standards are nearly 50% less likely to be involved in certain types of accidents, and when accidents do occur, the likelihood of fatalities is reduced by 26% to 58%. These statistics underscore the value of ABYC standards in promoting safer boating for the public and reducing product liability for manufacturers.
Sanders: My involvement has driven developments in best practices for warning labels, owner’s manuals and consumer education, all of which assist the boating public in better, safer interactions with their marine products.
What’s it like collaborating with peers, including competitors, to develop standards?
Marlow: Collaborating with peers, including competitors, on ABYC standards is one of the most unique and rewarding aspects of my career. When you sit at the same table with people who, in the marketplace, are potential rivals, the dynamic shifts. The focus becomes singular: making boating safer and better for everyone. That environment fosters a level of transparency and technical rigor you don’t often see elsewhere.
Berman: The ABYC standards development process brings together professionals from every facet of the marine industry, including boat and component manufacturers, independent experts, the Coast Guard, and international standards bodies. Collaborating with this diverse group has allowed me to build a strong network of industry relationships that I’ve been able to leverage in various professional situations.
Sanders: In terms of collaboration for the common good, working with one’s peers — and even professional competitors — ensures that we maximize the available information to develop the relevant standards. This keeps us authentically focused on the quality of the standards that we develop, and keeps us aware of what’s happening industrywide, rather than just a microcosm of the industry.
What would you tell someone who’s considering joining a committee?
Marlow: It’s one of the most rewarding ways to give back to the industry while growing professionally. You’ll gain early insight into emerging technologies, build relationships with some of the most knowledgeable people in the field, and develop skills in collaboration and consensus-building that you can’t get anywhere else. Most important, you’ll have a direct hand in making boating safer for families everywhere. That’s a legacy worth contributing to.
Berman: If you’re passionate about boating safety and have expertise in an area covered by ABYC standards, I strongly encourage you to consider joining a Product Technical Committee. Not only will you contribute to creating safer products, but you’ll also gain personal satisfaction from applying your knowledge and experience in a meaningful way. Plus, you’ll build valuable professional relationships across the industry.
Sanders: Each and every person who participates in a PTC brings a valuable perspective. The standards are only as comprehensive as the available input permits them to be, so more input means better standards for the industry.
If you share ABYC’s mission to make boating safer, sign up for a PTC mailing list or attend Standards Week 2026 in Charleston, S.C. (abycinc.org).
Emily Parks is technical coordinator with the American Boat & Yacht Council.
