Nov 13, 2016

Electrical and electronics installers can earn three certifications in four days

SEVERNA PARK, MD—The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) and the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) have released the schedule of NMEA/ABYC combined training classes for 2017. Students who successfully complete the four-day course earn three certifications: ABYC Electrical, Basic NMEA Marine Electronics Installer (MEI), and Basic NMEA 2000® Network Installer.

The event is the marine industry’s premier training opportunity that is specifically designed as a one-stop shop for boat builders, installers, technicians, marine mechanics and surveyors to get trained on ABYC and NMEA standards. Two of the days focus on ABYC marine electrical standards and training, and two days on NMEA marine electronics standards and training.

“We launched the NMEA/ABYC combined course last year in Fort Lauderdale to a sold-out classroom and repeated it at three other locations, including the NMEA Conference & Expo in Naples, FL. The feedback from attendees was fantastic,” said NMEA President & Executive Director Mark Reedenauer. “All of our instructors are seasoned veterans who are committed to expanding and improving the electronics and electrical knowledge of all students who take the course.”

Ed Sherman, ABYC Education Vice President, commented, “This program covers a lot of ground in its four-day duration but we have noticed that the attendees are more than up to the task. The students we’re attracting are generally highly experienced technicians that have never bothered to sit for the certification exams or have let them expire and have realized the error in their ways. They’re getting back into the fold with this program and we are seeing great success. Simply put, it’s an out of the park home run!”

2017 NMEA/ABYC Combined Training Schedule

January 2017

Location:  Great Lakes/Chicago Area 

Larsen Marine, Waukegan, IL

Jan. 24 – ABYC Marine Electrical Certified Training

Jan. 25 – ABYC Marine Electrical Review and Testing

Jan. 26 – NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer

Jan. 27 – NMEA 2000 Network Course

Trainers: Ed Sherman/John Barry

May 2017

Location: Tampa Florida Area

Exact venue TBD

May 9 – ABYC Marine Electrical Certified Training

May 10 – ABYC Marine Electrical Review and Testing

May 11 – NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer

May 12 – NMEA 2000 Network Course

Trainers: Ed Sherman/John Barry

September 2017

Location: Bellevue, Washington

Bellevue Hilton Hotel, NMEA Conference & Expo

Sept. 25 – ABYC Marine Electrical Certified Training

Sept. 26 – ABYC Marine Electrical Review and Testing

Sept. 27 – NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer

Sept. 28 – NMEA 2000 Network Course

Trainers: Kevin Ritz/Johnny Lindstrom

November 2017

Location: East Greenwich, Rhode Island

New England Technical Institute

Nov. 28 – ABYC Marine Electrical Certified Training

Nov. 29 – ABYC Marine Electrical Review and Testing

Nov. 30 – NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer

Dec. 1 – NMEA 2000 Network Course

Trainers: Ed Sherman/Hugh Lupo

Attending the combined training class costs $1195 for members of either NMEA or ABYC and $1695 for nonmembers. Students receive all class materials, including the 228-page NMEA Installation Standard and 160-page ABYC Marine Electrical Study Guide, as part of the package. Lunch is provided for all four days.

Each class has the same format. Day one—ABYC Electrical Training; day two—ABYC Electrical Review & Testing; day three—NMEA Basic Marine Electronics Installer Training & Testing; and day four—NMEA 2000 Network Installer Training & Testing.

Students can register by contacting either association:

NMEA – Debbie Compere

Phone: 410-975-9425

Email: info@nmea.org

Web: http://www.nmea.org/content/Traincert/abycnmea_training.asp

ABYC – Sandy Brown

Phone: 410-990-4460, ext. 101

Email: sbrown@abycinc.org

Web: http://abycinc.org/abycnmeacombinedtraining

Founded in 1957, the NMEA has led the way in establishing technical standards for data exchange in marine electronics, with the widely accepted NMEA 0183 data protocol, NMEA 2000® and certification standards for marine electronics technicians. NMEA standards and programs focus on ensuring that the boating consumer is provided with reliable products and professional service. For more information, visit the NMEA website at www.NMEA.org or call (410) 975-9425.