Hi Ike,

Glad to hear from another ABYC member. Yes, it is very upsetting me to see these posts of boaters who feel they should not be bothered complying with ABYC standards unless they are free, hiding behind the disguise of a legal debate. I’m particularly sensitive after just renewing my business membership and spending a chunk to attend training and write ThE exams for the combined ABYC electrical and NMEA electronic certifications last month. Especially after reading so many threads of boaters trashing “pros” when I know from experience that their boats are likely patently unsafe, while their family or crew is counting on their DIY handy work.

Quite an interesting thread "should-standards-that-become-a-part-of-a-law-be-free-to-the-public" Glad to see there is an ABYC member here who knows what they are talking about. Unfortunately I did not encounter this thread until I got the weekly summary and it's now so long I think it wouldn't add much if I chimed in. I am not only an ABYC member (since 1984) but also a regulator (retired Coast Guard) and have served on a lot of committees. It has always amazed me how little known ABYC is to general boat public. Say UL or SAE and everyone seems to know or have heard of them. But say ABYC to anyone but a marine professional and the response is "who?"