NMEA partners with ABYC to offer training

SEVERNA PARK, Md. – The National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) announced a joint training venture with the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC). This four-day training event will focus two of the days on ABYC marine electrical standards and training, and two days on NMEA marine electronics standards and training.

The training event is specifically designed as a one-stop shop for boat builders, installers, technicians, marine mechanics and surveyors to get trained on ABYC and NMEA standards used throughout the recreational and commercial boating industry.

“For the past year, both associations have met to strategically discuss the best way to work together,” said Mark Reedenauer, NMEA’s president and executive director. “It was unanimously agreed that a four-day training event is the best offering that can be provided to both marine electricians and marine electronics installers. Never before could a marine professional attend four days of training and potentially walk away with three certifications.”

The four-day class will consist of two days of ABYC electrical training and testing, one day of NMEA Marine Electronics Installer training & testing, and one day of NMEA 2000 network installer training & testing, as follows:

• Day One: ABYC Marine Electrical Certification Training
• Day Two: ABYC Marine Electrical Review & Testing
• Day Three: NMEA Marine Electronics Installer (MEI) Training & Testing
• Day Four: NMEA 2000 Network Installer Training & Testing

Regarding this new collaboration, Ed Sherman, ABYC Vice President for Education said, “I’m thrilled that ABYC and NMEA have been able to create this opportunity for marine industry electrical and electronic technicians. As the convergence of onboard electrical and electronic systems continues to become more prevalent on new boats or as part of major retrofits, the need for highly qualified installation specialists is more important than ever.”

“This new program will go a long way toward ensuring that the technicians working on your boat will have proven expertise with both the electrical power side and electronic side of these complex systems,” Sherman said.

ABYC or NMEA member pricing is $1,195 for the four-day event. Membership is only required in one of the associations (ABYC or NMEA) to get the member price. Non-member pricing is $1,695. Lunch will be served all four days. Lunch on-site provides a way for students and instructors to interact outside of the classroom setting. “In our experience we have found that some of the best information is exchanged during an informal lunch or coffee break,” Reedenauer said.

This training event will take place three times in 2016 in separate locations across the U.S.:

• May 23-26: Fort Lauderdale, Fla., International Crew Training Facility, Sponsored by Wards Marine Electric
• Fall: Seattle region
• Fall/Winter: Newport, RI region

Online class registrations on the web links above will open Tuesday, March 1, 2016. For more information, contact both associations.

ABYC

Phone: 410-990-4460 ext. 101

Email: sbrown@abycinc.org

Web: abycinc.org/abycnmeacombinedtraining

NMEA

Phone: 410-975-9425

Email:  info@nmea.org

Web: www.nmea.org/content/traincert/abycnmea_training.asp