|
Responding to a mid-'50s boom in recreational boating, the American Boat & Yacht Council was formed by members of the Motorboat and Yacht Advisory Panel of the U.S. Coast Guard's Merchant Marine Council. It was incorporated on February 1, 1954, in New York State as a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation.
At the organization's initial meeting of incorporators and members – held April 30, 1954, at New York's Hotel Lexington – 43 people from all facets of the boating industry were on hand to get the fledgling Council properly launched. Phelps Ingersoll of the Wilcox-Crittenden Corporation was named the first president and ABYC became a working entity.
Over the next 50 years ABYC has grown in various ways--all of them good. Our office moved from a rented house in Amityville, New York, to rented office space in Millersville, Maryland, to our present headquarters building bought by the ABYC Foundation in 1992.
The first set of standards, "Life Saving Equipment" (H-9) and "Battery Chargers" (E-6) were introduced in 1956. The first edition of "Safety Standards and Recommended Practices" was published in 1965 and consisted on 9 standards. Today, "Standards and Technical Information Reports for Small Craft" (previously known as "Standards and Recommended Practices for Small Craft") contains over 65 standards and is growing.
In addition to writing standards, ABYC designed a comprehensive education program beginning in 1989. The education programs include seminars, workshops, Marine Technician Certification program, and standards accreditation.
ABYC will continue to research, develop, review and publish manufacturing and service standards for the boating industry. It is our aim to make recreational boating a safer sport in the next millennium!
|
