ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Aug. 21, 2025) – The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC), in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch, has announced the launch of the USCG Recreational Boat Regulations Certification course. This program equips marine industry professionals with the knowledge to meet federal requirements for new recreational boats manufactured or imported for sale in the United States.
“Compliance with federal regulations is essential for safety, and we are pleased to announce the availability of this new course,” said Jeff Ludwig, chief of the Recreational Boating Product Assurance Branch at the U.S. Coast Guard. “Anyone involved in the manufacture of recreational boats should strongly consider taking it to ensure that they have the knowledge to build boats that are compliant with US Coast Guard requirements.”
The course guides participants through a typical USCG inspection at a boat manufacturer or dealer, providing practical guidance for compliance. Topics include certification labeling, hull identification numbers, capacity and loading requirements, flotation, electrical and ventilation systems, marine sanitation devices, engine cut-off switches, start-in-gear protection, navigation lights, and backfire flame arrestors.
Upon passing the certification exam, candidates earn the Regulatory Specialist designation, demonstrating their expertise in federal recreational boating regulations.
“The launch of this course marks more than a year and a half of development,” said Tim Murphy, ABYC education director. “In December 2023 we gathered subject-matter experts—boatbuilders, compliance inspectors, standards developers, and US Coast Guard staff—to lay out the competencies required to certify a Recreational Boat Regulatory Specialist. This collaboration ensures the certification reflects both regulatory requirements and the real-world challenges faced by manufacturers.”
For more information or to register, visit https://abycinc.org/USCGcert.
###
Since 1954, the nonprofit American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) has developed safety standards for boat design, construction, equipage, repair and maintenance. The essential global source of marine industry technical information, ABYC’s product safety standards, credentialing, education, training, and other tools help members make boating safer.
The mission of the Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety is to minimize the loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental impact associated with the use of recreational boats, through preventive means, in order to maximize safe use and enjoyment of U.S. Waterways by the public