February 15, 2007, Annapolis, MD: The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) was pleased to announce the recipients of its annual awards during its 2007 Annual Meeting and Reception held recently in Miami, FL. Unfortunately, Rear Admiral Brian M. Salerno, Director of Inspection and Compliance for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and ABYC's planned keynote speaker for the event was unable to attend because of the inclement weather that mangled the nation's airlines schedules. Mr. Jeff Hoedt, Chief of the USCG Office of Boating Safety, however, ably filled in for the Rear Admiral and assisted with the presentation of the awards. These awards were created to recognize the significant work of individuals and companies in furthering ABYC's core mission of boating safety.

Skip Burdon, ABYC President commented, "For ABYC, our value is the sum of our members, who everyday commit themselves to ABYC's mission. With these awards, we pay tribute to those individuals who represent the spirit of volunteering and a commitment to making our industry the best it can be."

The ABYC Service Award - Mr. Craig Scholten, Director of Product Compliance, Four Winns/Genmar Holdings, Inc. This award is presented each year to an ABYC member who has served the Council over a long period of time, through active participation on committees, Boards or other volunteer venues, in a manner that materially benefits the goals of ABYC. Craig has been an ABYC Technical Board member since 2004 and is a member of several PTC's (specifically Hull and Deck Structures and Fuel and Ventilation). Craig is dedicated to the standards writing process, and recently opened the Four Winns manufacturing and testing facility to ABYC for work on a USCG grant, providing materials, product and staff support for a weeks worth of testing. Craig has been a supporter of ABYC education by promoting ABYC's industry training and certification, specifically at Four Winns. In addition, Craig has presented on behalf of ABYC at various industry events and meetings. He is both ABYC Standards Accredited and ABYC Certified in Marine Systems, and has advanced his way up to his current position, where he is responsible for maintaining product compliance/certifications of Four Winns products, with additional product compliance support to Genmar and all its boat brands.

ABYC Leadership Award - Mr. Phil Cappel, Chief, Recreational Boating Product Assurance Division of the United States Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety. This award was established to honor an individual that has provided outstanding leadership in support of ABYC, industry and the ABYC mission, and best exemplifies the leadership qualities of ABYC's past presidents. Phil is a shining example of leadership in action, having not only served on several volunteer ABYC technical subcommittees, he is also a member of ABYC's Technical Board of Directors, and has been responsible for taking the lead in assuring USCG participation in all aspects of the ABYC standards writing process. Phil continually represents the USCG and the U.S. boating safety interests in domestic, as well as international meetings. Phil oversees a staff of seven who share his passion for boating safety. Phil's leadership is marked by the ability to assemble diverse groups of people, together to find common ground and solutions on matters that affect recreational boating. Phil was responsible for the launch of the USCG and industry cooperative effort to address the carbon monoxide and propeller injury avoidance efforts. It is through these kinds of active efforts to connect people and build community for the safety of the recreational boater that Phil received this award.

Lifelong Service Award - Mr. Jim Ellis. This award was created to recognize someone for their service to the marine industry and their profound contributions to boating safety, design and/or the advancement of recreational boating. Jim brings an impressive resume of marine experience to not only ABYC, but the entire boating industry. Jim not only serves as a past Chair of the ABYC Board of Directors but he has also served in numerous other leadership positions on ABYC Board committees. In addition to his work with ABYC, Ellis has also held executive leadership roles with the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) and was a member of the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF).

In 1982, Ellis was named director of the BoatU.S. Foundation before being appointed to BoatU.S. President in 2003. He is credited with growing the non-profit organization into a leader in boating safety and clean water advocacy. He is the past Chairman of the NSBC and was inducted into the NSBC Boating Safety Hall of Fame in 2004 for his leadership and support of boating safety. Jim has also been credited with being a visionary in the field of boating safety through his work in the early years of the Internet by bringing online boating safety courses to the national boating community and recognizing the need for bringing more comfortable, inflatable life jackets to the market. His personal experience in both the power boating and sailing arenas have allowed him to help develop services that continue to bring convenience, value and safety to the boating lifestyle. Jim recently elected to retire as President of BoatU.S., after 24 years with the Association.

ABYC Foundation Bunzl Boating Safety Award
Also at the Annual Meeting, the ABYC Foundation presented the Bunzl Boating Safety Award to announced two recipients of the Bunzl Boating Safety Award during the 2007 ABYC Annual Meeting and Reception held on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 in Miami, FL. Established by the ABYC Foundation, this award may be presented in recognition of singular acts of great personal sacrifice or heroism in the saving of life or vessel at sea, or for extraordinary contributions to the safety of the boating public. The 2007 recipients are:

Captain Mike Stewart, owner and President of TowBoatU.S. North Miami - On April 15, 2006, Captain Stewart's quick and courageous response to a radio distress call saved an injured Sea Tow Captain who had sustained a serious head injury, which resulted in extensive bleeding and violent erratic behavior while in the Atlantic Ocean. Without concern for his personal safety and without hesitation, Captain Stewart assisted with the rescue of the fellow Captain. He rendered essential medical aid and the man's life was saved as a direct result of his heroic actions.

Joe Morris, a Maryland teenager who saved the life of a fellow sailor during a highly competitive weekend regatta off the coast of Brant Beach, NJ. During a 420 Mid-Atlantic regatta, the teenager momentarily looked down and spotted a girl's inert body lying face down in the waves, wearing a life jacket, while racing a two-man sailboat. The 17-year old immediately jettisoned thoughts about the race and headed his boat upwind, which brought the boat next to the girl. Joe grabbed her and brought her aboard as she was fading into and out of consciousness. Joe's rapid response and unselfish deeds helped save the girl from uncertain tragedy.

Burdon, President of ABYC and Secretary of the ABYC Foundation said, "The ABYC Foundation is honored to be able to recognize the extraordinary efforts and life saving actions of these two individuals. Both Joe and Captain Stewart sacrificed their own safety to come to the aid of fellow human beings in danger on the water, and their actions are to be commended."

The ABYC Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization that was established in 1988 to raise funds and provide support for special projects, education and training programs, scholarships and other initiatives being undertaken by the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC). The Foundation's efforts on behalf of ABYC address marine excellence across the board, and are designed to promote and foster boating safety. For more information on the ABYC Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.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. 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.

Editor's Note: High-resolution images are available of the ABYC award recipients and Captain Michael Stewart in electronic format. Contact Caroline Chetelat (see first page).