Who Decides What Makes a Boat Safe?

Host Kristina Hebert sits down at the American Boating Congress in Washington, D.C., with Shannon Aronson, John Adey, and Brian Goodwin of the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and Robert Newsome of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to explore how boating safety standards are developed, updated, and implemented across the industry. Kristina and her guests explain ABYC’s role as an ANSI-accredited nonprofit standards organization, the importance of its volunteer technical committees, and how NMMA leverages ABYC standards through manufacturer certification to advance safety without relying solely on federal regulation. The conversation also highlights workforce development and Marine Service Technician Week, emphasizing the critical role trained marine technicians play in keeping boats safe and reliable throughout their lifecycle. Looking ahead, Kristina examines emerging technologies such as e-foils, self-docking vessels, and advanced driver assistance systems while connecting these innovations to industry funding through the Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund and opportunities to participate in standards development.Wards Marine Electrichttps://www.wardsmarine.com/Wards Way YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75