American Boat and Yacht Council

The American Boat and Yacht Council is a non-profit organization which sets standards for the safe construction and maintenance of boats in the United States. It is a standards development member of the American National Standards Institute. Founded in 1954, it is currently chaired by Kenneth Weinbrecht of Ocean-Bay Marine Services, Inc. It sets standards on items such as required electrical cable color coding, size and construction. Some standards, such as bilge pump requirements, are legally binding.