January 31, 2006, Edgewater, MD: The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced today that Rear Admiral Craig Bone, Director of Inspection and Compliance, United States Coast Guard, will be addressing ABYC's membership as the Keynote Speaker at the 52nd Annual Meeting. The Rear Admiral has also enthusiastically agreed to participate in the event's awards ceremony.

"Our membership is always energized and excited to have the Coast Guard participate in such a visible manner at our Annual Meeting," said Skip Burdon, ABYC's President. "It vividly demonstrates the close cooperation, respect and ties ABYC maintains with the Coast Guard," Burdon concluded.

Rear Admiral Bone was involved in the recent Coast Guard reorganization which has aligned recreational boating safety with commercial vessel safety under his command. As such, his organization can now offer 'one-stop shopping' for manufacturers that may be involved in both areas, and also for those manufacturers complying with ABYC standards for both recreational and commercial (uninspected) vessels.

ABYC also announced that two long-time members, McAlpin & Brais, P.A. and Buist Moore Smythe McGee, P.A. will co-sponsor ABYC's 2006 Annual Meeting & Reception. McAlpin & Brais, P.A. is a law firm based in Miami, Florida with an established admiralty, marine product liability and marine commercial practice. They have been an ABYC member for 13 years. Buist Moore Smythe McGee, P.A. is one of the largest full service business and litigation law firms in Charleston, South Carolina, with an extensive list of services to include admiralty and aviation. They have been an ABYC member for 12 years.

Annual Meeting & Reception Details:
ABYC's membership, which includes boat builders, surveyors, boat yards, boat owners, insurance companies, law firms, trade associations, marinas, dealerships, government agencies and equipment and accessory manufacturers, will gather on Wednesday evening, February 15, 2006 at the Bass Museum of Art, only a few blocks from the Miami Beach Convention Center. ABYC members can visit ABYC's web site, www.abycinc.org for event details.

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. These 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.