A recent study from the USCG found that NMMA Certified Boats using ABYC Standards are much less likely to be involved in accidents involving serious injury or fatality than non-certified boats.
Boaters have different priorities when choosing a new boat including their budget, size, and which boat is the best for their lifestyle. Boaters also consider safety. When buying a NMMA Certified using ABYC standards boat you know that the boat manufacturer went the extra mile to meet all applicable industry standards. More than 180 boatbuilders now build to the standards and 90% of the boats sold in the U.S. today are certified.
NMMA Boat & Yacht Certification helps manufacturers ensure their boats are built to applicable standards set by the ABYC Standards. Participating boat manufacturers must submit applications for all models; each model must be physically inspected by an NMMA inspector annually. To achieve Certification, a manufacturer must demonstrate that all variances found during the inspection have been corrected. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that all production units are manufactured in compliance with the certified design.
What does Certification cover?
The NMMA Certification program covers over 30 categories of standards, which vary by boat type and may include:
- Fuel systems
- Ventilation
- Passenger and weight capacity (on boats under 26′)
- Horsepower Capacity (on boats under 20′)
- Flotation (on boats under 20′)
- Electrical systems
- Navigation lights
- Warning label placement and guidelines
- Steering systems
To learn more visit NMMA’s website: www.nmma.org/certification