Press Releases

For Immediate Release 03-13

Contacts: Caroline Chetelat, (410) 956-1050 cchetelat@abycinc.org

April 28, 2003, Edgewater, MD: The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) will conduct its Basic Marine Electrical seminar on May 21 - 23, 2003 at the Sofitel Houston hotel in Houston, TX.

The three-day seminar is designed for the marine technician, marine surveyor, and boat builder with minimal or no electrical experience. Taught by ABYC's instructor, Ed Sherman, this course will begin with basic theory and walk through the ABYC electrical standards. Other topics to be covered will include:

• AC & DC standards
• Trouble-shooting practices
• Alternators
• Battery chargers
• Bonding

Bonnie Barsa, Education Director for ABYC said, "Because of the overriding importance of safety when designing, installing, and maintaining electrical systems in modern recreational boats, this topic has the greatest emphasis on ABYC's standards." Barsa further stated, "The boating consumer benefits directly from having better-educated, and trained marine professionals. The standards we teach improve the level of safety in boats and encourage consistent maintenance and installation practices, which will result in customer satisfaction and retention."

Registration:
The education fee for this seminar is $429 for ABYC members, and $575 for non-members and includes the text book, "Boating Magazine's Powerboater's Guide to Electrical Systems". To register for this program, please call the ABYC office at (410) 956-1050. To view a full course description and seminar schedule, please visit the ABYC Web Site at www.abycinc.org. Space is limited.

ABYC has been developing, writing and updating the safety standards for boat building and repair in the United States for nearly 50 years and is actively involved with the development of international standards as well as certification programs for marine technicians. These standards are available on CD-ROM and in printed form. Membership and general information can be requested by calling (410) 956-1050 or by visiting the ABYC Web Site at www.abycinc.org.