What its like to set the standards
Jan 17, 2023
I have just returned from attending the ABYC Standards Week for the first time and it was very interesting and well worth it. I hope to attend again in the future; it was that interesting.
I see myself as more a journalist than a boating expert and honestly, I thought I would be way out of my league at Standards Week. Well, I was…but I wasn’t.
A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing, but I was just an observer. They won’t be taking my advice on anything. However, one of the sessions I attended was on the broad and important subject of Control Systems. The participants moved through an ambitious agenda of topics but some were as basic (and important) as steering wheels. In rough water, or in an emergency, the wheel may need to deal with the full weight of a grown man being thrown to the side and that wheel had better be strong enough!
The Electrical Project Technical Committee meeting was a big session with over 50 experts in attendance and the topics were more complex, but the actual process was the same – to examine and debate the wording to ensure that the boat builders and repairers would be clearly guided to the best and most safe installations and repairs. “Simple and clear” is the goal. For that reason, I was able to follow along fairly well.
Standards are the core of ABYC. They are continuously researched, developed, and revised by over 400 volunteer marine professionals on 16 Project Technical Committees from all fields of the industry including the US Coast Guard (USCG), trade organizations, and private entities. ABYC collaborates with safety organizations worldwide such as Transport Canada and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
The events of ABYC Standards Week started off with the Annual General Meeting, Reception and Awards ceremony. I was honoured to be one of two people receiving an award which was the reason I was there in the first place, but what I learned was that the Standards process is methodical, not too hard to follow and I gained a new appreciation for the importance of the clarity as well as the fact that even without any special training or education, I could follow it. You and your technicians could too, I’m sure.
Many of the people I met were the absolute tops in the industry but everyone was friendly, welcoming and very collegial. It didn’t matter what your company was or that you were in a room with your competitors – the shared goal was for clear and concise ABYC standards leading to safer and better boats.
If you are not already involved, perhaps you or your people should be. The ABYC welcomes new members and their contributions.
On a different subject, next week brings the start of the Toronto International Boat Show and on Tuesday, January 24th, we will again have the NMMA Canada’s State of the Industry Breakfast. I’ll be the MC and I hope to see you there!
Andy Adams – Editor
