For Immediate Release 08-13

Contact: Caroline Chetelat at ABYC (410) 990-4460, x22 cchetelat@abycinc.org

June 19, 2008, Annapolis, MD: As part of its on-site training program, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has begun offering customized training packages. Three clients that have recently taken advantage of this offering are Best Buy's Geek Squad, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA).

NOAA, a federal agency focused on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere recently contacted ABYC because they were looking to improve safety in all of its boating operations. They realized that they not only wanted to train their managers and technicians, but also their boat operators, who consist of scientists, biologists and oceanographers. NOAA has approximately 400 boats in its fleet and approximately 300 are being operated at any one time. As part of NOAA's request, ABYC reviewed the current inspection list used by their operators. ABYC then enhanced it by adding information specific to ABYC standards, and then developed a customized systems-based curriculum to use to train their employees. ABYC has offered three classes at various locations to include Norfolk, Key Largo and Seattle, and will be offering a fourth course to the Honolulu station. NOAA is also considering more classes over the coming years.

Geek Squad, Best Buy's tech support task force recently participated in an ABYC on-site training program. Advanced Marine Electrical training was conducted with technicians in preparation for Geek Squad's expansion into the marine industry in key markets around the U.S. The course enriched the credentials of Geek Squad Autotechs by extending their mobile electronics certifications with a fundamental understanding of the ABYC standards, the layout of a marine system and how it all integrates together.

ABYC also partnered with the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA, www.ybaa.com) in developing and delivering a series of technical sessions in conjunction with YBAA's 2008 Conference of Professional Yacht Brokers. ABYC sessions included a marine systems overview, boat building materials and methods, yacht electrical and fuel systems, fiberglass production methods, metal corrosion and fiberglass fatigue, as well as a session on the professional relationship of the yacht broker and marine surveyor. This series of offerings provided YBAA members and industry leaders with educational resources and tools on a wide variety of technical and systems management issues to strengthen the professional capabilities of yacht brokers nationwide.

According to YBAA's Executive Director, Joseph Thompson, "The YBAA / ABYC partnership was very successful and allowed us to broaden our annual Conference program with valuable technical content that is exceptionally helpful to our attendees. We look forward to continuing this relationship in the future."

ABYC continues to offer its eight certifications and other training courses in an on-site format as well to companies throughout the marine industry - including Sea Ray, Yanmar, the Northwest Marine Trades Association and many others.

Michael New, ABYC's Education Direction said, "We have developed a solid training program and curriculums around our standards and our certifications, and have been building this up for over 15 years. Because of our experience and the foundation we have in education, we have been able to expand our member services and accommodate requests by organizations to create customized educational programs - whether it is for one day, or a whole week - that not only includes elements of the existing ABYC courses, but targeted courses to meet the needs of a specific organization, company or association."

To schedule an on-site course, or to receive more information on customized training programs, contact Michael New at (410) 990-4460, ext. 31 or via email at mnew@abycinc.org. For additional information on the ABYC Certification courses and other training programs, 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 the ABYC Standards Powered by Rulefinder.net) and in printed form. Membership and general information can be requested by visiting the ABYC Web site at www.abycinc.org.