Boats, marine and boating trends

Speakers Announced for International Marine Standards Summit in May

April 6, 2006, Edgewater, MD: : The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) today announced the line-up of speakers for the International Marine Standards Summit on May 9, 2006, that will be held in conjunction with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 188 Plenary Session on May 11, 2006. Both events will be held at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis, MD.John Adey, ABYC Technical Director will serve as moderator for this one-day event designed to bring together representatives from the global boating standards organizations. ABYC is also pleased to have the following speakers explore a lineup of topics to help attendees discuss and address mutual issues surrounding boating safety and the import/export of marine products:

* Phil Cappel, United States Coast Guard (USCG). Topic: Regulations in Concert With Voluntary Standards.
* Sandy Currie, Canadian Marine Manufacturers Association (CMMA). Topic: Standards in Canada - Now and in the Future.
* Maurene Horder, National Marine Safety Committee, Australia. Topic: Standards in Australia - Now and in the Future.
* Tom Marhevko, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Topic: Certification, Standards and Relations With Other Countries.
* Tony Rice, International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA). Topic: Standards in the European Union - Now and in the Future.
* Mike Samulski, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Topic: Upcoming EPA Regulations.
* Jennifer Stradtman, U.S. Department of Commerce. Topic: Blueprints for Other Industries.

Individuals applying standards to design or product evaluation as part of their job, and those interested in learning more about the global marine standards market should attend.

John Adey, ABYC Technical Director said, "Bringing industry together to effect positive change in boating safety is an inherent part of ABYC's mission. We believe attendees will come away from this summit with an understanding of the global state of marine standards, current and future projects being undertaken by other nations, as well as contact information for key players."

In addition to holding the standards summit, ABYC will be the host organization for the annual ISO TC188 Plenary Session. ABYC represents the United States in TC188, which is the ISO technical committee that updates and maintains small craft standards. Each year the ISO TC188 participants gather in a different location to review the past year's business and begin plans for the next year. ISO TC188 working group and subcommittee meetings will also take place on Monday, May 8 and Wednesday, May 10, and draw technical experts from across the globe.

Those interested in registering for, or speaking at these events should contact Cindy Love, ABYC Technical Department Coordinator at (410) 956-1050, ext. 28 or clove@abycinc.org.

ABYC has been developing, writing and updating the safety standards for boat building and repair in the United States for over 50 years. ABYC is actively involved with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as well as education and certification programs for marine technicians. ABYC standards are available on CD-ROM, online (Web-STIR) and in printed form. Membership and general information can be requested by visiting the ABYC web site at www.abycinc.org .

Source: ABYC