August 11, 2026

NMEA Executive Director Mark Reedenauer has appointed well-known Canadian marine electronics authority, Ken Harrison as the NMEA’s Ambassador to Canada. Reedenauer has tasked Harrison with being the NMEA’s “eyes and ears” in Canada with the goal of expanding the association’s standards and training resources across the country. As the current wave of marine industry retirements creates a loss of senior people, and new products bring in ever-more sophisticated electronic advances, the Ambassador program has been created to recruit, train and promote a new group of technicians of all ages to carry the standards and service levels to new heights. This is what NMEA states on the International Ambassador Program: serve as local champions for NMEA, helping to promote membership, training, standards, and industry growth. The program is designed to strengthen NMEA’s installer training & interface standards across the globe.
 
As a concrete demonstration of the association’s commitment to our industry in Canada, Reedenauer has extended the offer of NMEA membership to Canadians at the same $450 price as US or International Members, but accepting our Canadian payment at par – a substantial saving for Canadian members.
 
NMEA 2000 technology (and even the NMEA 0183 standards which were introduced in January of 1983) as well as newer OneNet Marine IPv6 Ethernet Networking Standard, are incorporated into more and more marine products from basic to advanced levels. To understand and service new boats, engines and accessories as well as older vessels looking to upgrade equipment, our marine technicians will need the foundational knowledge and education that NMEA courses can provide.
 
The NMEA has developed many courses and a substantial range of training resources that can support our technicians. From basic to advanced levels, the NMEA courses are the essential building blocks young technicians and seasoned tech’s need to keep up with the rapid advances we are seeing in the new marine products.
 
While the manufacturers of the brands and products you offer for your customers generally all offer dealer support, those resources typically focus on their proprietary ecosystem. But it’s the foundational knowledge that techs need to succeed with the varied service demands of other brands and integrated systems.
 
Let’s lay the foundation for building a better future by asking you to do one simple thing: please send us an email simply saying that you do, or do not have staff who would consider signing up for NMEA courses. Please send your email to andy@opmediagroup.ca
 
The NMEA has resources that could be delivered as a one-day workshop offered in your area as well as larger, and more in-depth courses that could be offered through established educational institutions.
 
In upcoming editions of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, we will provide more information on the courses available through the NMEA and again, we will look for your expression of interest to guide Ken Harrison and the NMEA in future plans for electronics education in Canada.
 
Andy Adams – Editor