These days, a safe and reliable electrical system is essential to the functioning of pretty much any boat above the size of a skiff. This in turn requires a set of baseline standards that establish minimum requirements for the construction and installation of electrical equipment. Much of this will be determined by standards from other industries - for example, those promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the USA, and found in the National Electrical Code (NEC) - but these do not cover the unique features associated with boats and boat electrical systems. This has led to the development of specific recreational marine standards, notably those from the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) and the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO).
The History of Boat Electrical Standards
The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) evolved in 1954 from an advisory council to the U.S. Coast Guard. The ABYC started drafting standards soon after, with the twin objectives of improving boating safety and heading off government regulation via responsible industry self-regulation. Over the years, the ABYC has developed a comprehensive set of standards that are widely accepted, including by the Coast Guard which is the primary U.S. organization tasked with enforcing boating safety standards. The only significant legislation for recreational boats that has been passed in the U.S. is the 1972 Boating Safety Act. This imposes limited requirements on gasoline boats, primarily designed to prevent fires.
The ABYC standards have been adopted, or used as a model, by various safety organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, around the world, including Canada.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) actually predates the ABYC. It was formed as a spin-off from the United Nations in 1947. However, it did not get into writing standards for recreational boating until long after the ABYC at a time when the ABYC standards were already well developed. The ABYC standards were used as a starting point for many of the ISO standards resulting in much common content. An ABYC member has typically been the chairperson of the relevant ISO committee (TC 188). The ABYC and ISO standards have evolved over time, with the ABYC adding considerably more detailed content to its standards than is found in the ISO standards. The ABYC is typically also more proactive in adapting to changing technologies. Nevertheless, in general the ABYC and ISO standards remain aligned in terms of core content, with the ABYC simply being more detailed. There is a conscious effort to maintain this harmonization.
Compliance Enforcement
The ABYC standards are not legally required in the United States but tend to be enforced through the court system. If a boatbuilder fails to comply and there's a problem the boatbuilder is likely to lose in any court case. Marine surveyors in the United States check for compliance with ABYC standards, and non-compliance may result in an insurance company requiring corrections to be made or denying insurance coverage. Standards in other countries (including Canada?) that are in whole or part derived from the ABYC standards are legally required, as are the ISO standards in Europe.
Safety versus Functionality
The ABYC and ISO standards, and similar standards around the world, are minimum safety standards. To a large extent, they do not care if an installation functions well, or functions at all, so long as non-functionality does not create a safety issue. Of course, the point at which non-functionality becomes a safety issue is often hotly debated!
Here’s an example. If a boat is wired in compliance with ABYC and ISO standards with the necessary overcurrent protection (fuses and circuit breakers) the positive connections at the battery must be booted, or protected in some other way against accidental short circuits, but beyond this booting is not required. The logic is as follows: if someone drops a wrench across unprotected positive and negative busbars further downstream the fuse at the battery will blow, preventing a fire. But now the battery is disconnected from the boat’s electrical system, potentially at a critical moment. It is arguable that this is a safety issue that requires booting of all exposed positive connections.
Conclusion
The various recreational boating standards have come a long way in improving boating safety and in reducing boating accidents. They represent a baseline with which all boats should comply. But compliance does not guarantee a well-designed and functional boat and systems. For this, practical knowledge and experience that goes well beyond the standards is required. The fusion of standards compliance with this kind of knowledge and experience is what creates great boats that will serve their owners well over many years.
Check out our courses on Marine Electrical Systems for comprehensive practical and experience-based information grounded in the ABYC’s and ISO’s minimum safety standards.
