According to the Maryland Natural Resources Police 2011 Recreational Boating Accident Statistic Report, nine percent of boating accidents were related to equipment. The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) aims to lower that number by performing FREE BOAT SYSTEM CHECKS at Port Annapolis, 7074 Bembe Beach Road, May 4 from 9am-3pm.
Qualified Marine Surveyors will perform on-board, in-water inspections of the boat systems. Systems to be checked include fuel, electrical, exhaust, equipment and labels. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 23-4 and 23-7 will perform their abbreviated inspections, and Rigging inspections will be provided by Southbound Cruising Services.
This is the second year for the checks in Annapolis. Faulty items found last year included poor battery connections, improper wire type, chafing fuel lines, non-functioning lights, and missing warning labels, just to name a few.
“ABYC is truly boating safety built in. Our safety standards cover many areas that the average boater is not aware of. We want to educate them and help keep the safe,” said John Adey, ABYC President.
ABYC created the Standards that boats are built and repaired by starting in 1954. Today, there are more than 60 Standards that when followed, ensure the safety of the boat systems. ABYC certifies technicians by the standards in the areas of Marine Electrical, Marine Corrosion, Marine Systems, ABYC Standards, Diesel Engines, Gasoline Engines, Marine Composites and A/C-Refrigeration and stresses to the boat consumer to only defer to someone who is ABYC certified. There are more than 20 certified technicians in Annapolis and more than 80 across Maryland.
Space is limited. Registration is encouraged on-line at http://abyc.com/whyabyc/clinic.cfm .
