American Boatbuilders Association Inc. (ABA)

The Brumby Building, Marietta Station
127 Church St.
Ste. 210
Marietta, GA 30060
T: 770–792–3070
www.ababoats.com

The American Boatbuilders Association is a coalition of 16 leading independent boat manufacturers. Since 1992, the group’s aim through collective buying power is to obtain the highest-quality materials and services at the lowest possible cost. This alliance brings the united voices of a prestigious group of boatbuilders to the table. In the aggregate, the ABA ranks second in retail market share. With annual boat sales over $1 billion and material purchases of $600 million, ABA represents a strong growth opportunity for suppliers.

American Boat Builders and Repairers Association (ABBRA)

Newport Shipyard
1 Washington St.
Newport, RI 02840 
T: 401-236-2466
info@nullabbra.org
www.abbra.org

ABBRA has 70 years of service dedicated to professional development, training, education and the sharing of knowledge, and the search for solutions to common problems. Every year, ABBRA hosts a boatyard business conference for sharing knowledge and expertise, technical training for key employees and certification programs for management, and serves as an advocate for boatyards, boat service and repairers, and boat builders.

American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC)

613 Third St., Ste. 10
Annapolis, MD 21403
T: 410–990–4460
info@nullabycinc.org
www.abycinc.org

The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) is a not-for-profit membership organization that has been developing, writing, and updating the consensus-based safety standards for the design, construction, equipage, maintenance, and repair of small craft and their systems for more than 50 years. More than 400 volunteers from all fields of the marine industry donate time, expertise, and research while serving on project technical committees (PTCs) that develop and revise the ABYC standards and technical information reports. ABYC is actively involved with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ABYC is also a world-recognized leader and provider of marine industry education, training, and certification programs for marine technicians and other marine professionals.

NAMSGlobal
The National Association of Marine Surveyors, Inc. (NAMS)

P.O. Box 9306
Chesapeake, Virginia 23321–9306
T: 757–638–9638 or 800–822–6267
office@nullnamsglobal.org
www.namsglobal.org

The National Association of Marine Surveyors, Inc. is a professional, independent, non-affiliated group of marine surveyors and consultants. First formed in 1961, the NAMS network of national and international members is one of the most respected self-governing marine survey organizations. The Association was founded to enhance marine safety, establish professional standards, and create a forum to discuss survey practices.

National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA)

37 Pratt St.
Essex, CT 06426–1159
T: 860–767–7898
info@nullnmdaonline.com
www.nmdaonline.com

The National Marine Distributors Association was founded in 1965 to represent the wholesaler distributors of marine accessories and hardware to the pleasure-boating industry. The objectives of the association are to engage in activities to promote common business interests and to improve the business conditions of wholesale distributors of marine accessories and of the marine industry in general.

National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA)

7 Riggs Ave
Severna Park, MD 21146
T: 410-975-9425
info@nullnmea.org

Founded in 1957, the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) has led the way in establishing technical standards for data exchange in marine electronics, with the widely accepted NMEA 0183 data protocol, NMEA 2000® and certification and installation standards for marine electronics technicians. NMEA standards and programs focus on ensuring that the boating consumer is provided reliable products and professional service. In addition, the NMEA conducts training nationwide for dealers and installers, the purpose of which is to increase professionalism in installation, service and repairs of all marine electronics. For more information, visit the NMEA website at www.NMEA.org or call 410-975-9425.

Association of Marine Technicians (AMTECH)

Marine Career Training Institute of North America (MCTINA)
513 River Estates Parkway
Canton, GA 30114
T: 770–720–4382
www.mctina.org

The Marine Career Training Institute of North America (MCTINA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-deductible educational organization. MCTINA, the education division for the Association of Marine Technicians (AMTECH) since 2005, has provided updated marine systems training to help meet the demands of advancing technologies, and has become the marine industry’s leader in teaching new technology troubleshooting skills to currently-employed technicians. MCTINA training is ideal for both entry-level and incumbent technicians. In 2016 the association shifted its emphasis away from being a membership association, and is now focused exclusively on marine service technical education. With the change in the association’s structure, AMTECH—the Association of Marine Technicians—has been re-branded as the Alumni of MCTINA Technicians; it is now a support/recognition and certification affiliate of MCTINA. The National Marine Service Expo (NMSE) continues to be MCTINA’s premier annual educational event. NMSE is held each January and is the educational heartbeat from which all MCTINA training is built.

Independent Boat Builders Inc. (IBBI)

215 N. Logan St.
Ste. B
West Frankfort, IL 62812
T: 618–435–4476
www.ibbi.com

Founded in 1989, IBBI is a marine purchasing cooperative for independent boat builders, representing the most notable brands in the industry. The combined IBBI membership is the overall industry market leader representing 20% of the US market with over $2 billion in annual sales. IBBI partners with the top industry suppliers for virtually every product used in the boat building process. The collaboration between IBBI, our member-owners, and our suppliers benefits everyone; the industry’s best prices for the industry’s best selling brands.

National Marine Representatives Association (NMRA)

P.O. Box 360
Gurnee, IL 60031
T: 847–662–3167
info@nullnmraonline.org
www.nmraonline.org

NMRA is a national organization serving marine industry independent sales representatives and the manufacturers who sell through reps. It serves as a networking tool and information source, promoting the benefits of utilizing reps for marine sales.

Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF)

500 Montgomery St, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
T: 703–519–0013
rbff@nullrbff.org
www.takemefishing.org

RBFF is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase participation in recreational angling and boating, thereby protecting and restoring the nation’s aquatic natural resources. RBFF developed the award-winning Take Me Fishing™ and Vamos A Pescar™ campaigns to create awareness around boating, fishing and conservation, and educate people about the benefits of participation. TakeMeFishing.org, and VamosAPescar.org help boaters and anglers of all ages and experience levels learn, plan and equip for a day on the water.

SAIL AMERICA

50 Water St.
Warren, RI 02885
T: 401–289–2540
info@nullsailamerica.com
www.sailamerica.com

Sail America is the trade association for the U.S. sailing industry with a mission to promote the health and growth of sailing. Sail America plays a vital role for all companies that provide sailing-related products and services and offers its members targeted sales opportunities, industry and market information, business education, and cost-saving business services. For more information, please visit www.sailamerica.com.

UMMA

714 S National Ave
Springfield, MO 65804
T: 618-435-3692
www.ummaonline.com

UMMA (United Marine Manufacturers Association, Inc.) is a group of independent boat builders that have joined together to pool their purchasing power and to address important industry issues. Our strategic partnerships with the industry’s leading suppliers allow our boat builders to offer consumers the best products at competitive pricing.

Association of Marina Industries (AMI)

50 Water Street
Warren, RI 02885
T: 1-866-367-6622

The Association of Marina Industries- is a non-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to the marina industry. The Association of Marina Industries represents a diverse membership of over 1,000 marinas, boatyards, yacht clubs, public/private moorage basins, partner associations, and marine industry vendors and suppliers across the United States and around the world. AMI is responsible for the internationally acclaimed Certified Marina Manager (CMM) and Certified Marina Operator (CMO) programs and small topic-specific conferences, plus the annual International Marina & Boatyard Conference (IMBC).

IYRS School of Technology & Trades

449 Thames St.
Newport, RI 02840
T: 401–848–5777
www.iyrs.edu

With campuses in the heart of historic Newport (R.I.) and a second facility in Bristol (R.I.), IYRS offers technical training for the building trades. The school teaches the skills, history, art, and science of building, restoring, and maintaining wooden and composite-construction boats and their onboard systems through three full-time programs in Boatbuilding & Restoration, Marine Systems, and Composites Technology. Each program employs a proven educational model that teaches problem solving, teamwork, project management, and hands-on skills. IYRS graduates are highly regarded for their passion and craftsmanship, and work with leading marine manufacturers and modern and restoration boatyards around the world.

The Landing School

Boat Building, Design, Systems, Composites
286 River Road
Arundel, ME 04046
T: 207–985–7976
info@nulllandingschool.edu
www.landingschool.edu

The Landing School is an accredited, post-secondary school offering one year diploma programs in composite boat building, wood boat building, marine systems, and yacht design, and a two-year Associate’s Degree in Marine Industry Technology. In addition, the school has a joint three-year Bachelor’s Degree program in small craft design with Southampton-Solent University in the United Kingdom and a joint associate degree program with Maine Maritime Academy. Students who successfully complete the Associate’s Degree in Marine Industry Technology are eligible to receive up to 60 semester credits toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Technical Management from Southern New Hampshire University. The school places its graduates in marine companies around the world with historical placement rates in the high 90 percentages.

Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS)

7855 Argyle Forest Blvd., Suite 203
Jacksonville, FL 32244
T: 800–344–9077
samshq@nullmarinesurvey.org
www.marinesurvey.org

The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) is the world’s largest not-for-profit membership society for marine surveyors. It is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to enhancing the profession of marine surveying through communication, cooperation, and education. Members must abide by a Code of Ethics and participate in a program of continuing education. Complete listing of its members, how to reach them, and a description can be found on our website.

Society of Boat & Yacht Designers (SBYD)

117 E. Louisa St., #268
Seattle, WA 98102–3203
T: 801–225–6060
drobert@nullprism.net
www.sbyd.org

SBYD is a professional society for designers, engineers, boatbuilders, and surveyors dedicated to the exchange of ideas and information regarding the small-craft marine industry through meetings, tours, seminars, and publications.

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME)

99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 310
Alexandria, VA 22314
T: 703-997-6701
aanderson@nullsname.org
www.sname.org

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers is an internationally recognized non-profit, professional society of individual members serving the maritime and ocean industries. Founded in 1893, the Society’s scope includes all aspects of production, maintenance and operation of ships, submersibles, yachts, boats, offshore and ocean bottom structures, hydrofoils and surface effect ships. It administers and supports an extensive technical and research (T&R) program involving over 6,000 individuals as voluntary members and permanent staff in cooperation with government and regulatory agencies, scientific and research laboratories, academic institutions, and the marine industry.

Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology

c/o Maine Maritime Museum
243 Washington St.
Bath, ME 04530
T: 207–747-0088
info@nullwestlawn.edu
www.westlawn.edu

The Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology has trained more practicing boat designers than any other school in the world. Teaching entirely by distance learning, Westlawn Institute offers a four-year professional Yacht & Boat Design program and a one-year Elements of Technical Boat Design program for marine surveyors and industry professionals. Westlawn also provides six-month continuing education courses in subjects from fiberglass composites, to systems, to boat interior design.