New ABYC program attracts clients

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – As part of its on-site training program, the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has begun offering customized training packages with some early success, it reported in a recent statement.

Best Buy’s Geek Squad, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA) have all recently taken advantage of the new offering.

NOAA contacted ABYC because it was looking to improve safety in all of its boating operations. The group not only wanted to train its managers and technicians, but also its boat operators, who are 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 said it reviewed the current inspection list used by its operators, enhanced it by adding information specific to ABYC standards, and then developed a customized systems-based curriculum to use to train NOAA 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 as well, according to the association. 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 added to the credentials of Geek Squad auto techs 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, reported the association.

ABYC has also partnered with YBAA 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 ABYC.

For more information on customized training programs, contact Michael New at (410) 990-4460, ext. 31 or via email at mnew@abycinc.org.

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