Marine Systems Certification - Online Live - July 2026
Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 07/07/2026 at 9:00 AM (EDT)
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You must log in to register
- Non-member - $1,495
- Member - $985
- Affiliated Instructor - $492.50
- MTAP Instructor - Free!
The Marine Systems Certification is the gold standard within the industry addressing air conditioning, water systems, sanitation, fuel systems, engine controls, electrical installations, and more.
This comprehensive certification course provides an in-depth understanding of essential marine systems and their installation requirements. Designed for both aspiring marine technician and boatyard professionals, participants will explore a range of topics critical to the proper functioning, safety, and design of marine vessels.
This course is ideal for those seeking foundational knowledge in marine systems or professional looking to enhance their technical skills for better performance in the boatyard environment. The course is designed for the marine professional with at least 2-3 years’ experience working with marine system design, installation or repair
Course Topics:
Potable water system components: Overview of potable water systems, including installation requirements and best practices.
Marine sanitation system: Understanding the design and installation of marine sanitation systems to ensure compliance with regulations.
Storage tank installation: Best practices for the design and installation of water, fuel, and waste storage tanks.
Thru-Hulls, Seacocks, Shaft Seals, and Exhaust Systems: Installation techniques and critical requirements for these essential components.
Basic Electrical Theory: Foundations of electrical systems and the safe installation of wiring.
Wire Sizing and Overcurrent Protection: Proper selection of wiring and protective devices to ensure safe electrical operations.
Batteries, Charges and Inverters: Installation standards and characteristics of marine power system
Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) Systems: Safe usage of LPG for cooking and heating in marine environments.
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems: Fundamentals of installation and design considerations for marine HVAC systems.
Pumps Type and their Common Applications: Types of pumps, uses, and installation methods.
Fuel System Safety: Installation requirements for gasoline and diesel fuel systems, including safety standards.
Steering and Engine Control Systems: Design considerations and installation practices for efficient vessel control.
Bow Thruster and Windlass Wiring: Characteristics of wiring circuits used in bow thrusters and windlass systems.
Fire Protection Systems: Design and operational requirements for portable and fixed marine fire-protection systems.
Boatyard Knowledge: Essential skills, including the use of precision tools, measurements, and proper boatyard etiquette.
Study Guide Chapters:
- Potable water systems
- Marine sanitation systems
- Hull piping
- Fuel Systems
- Electrical installations
- Compressed gas for cooking and heating
- Air conditioning and refrigeration systems
- Pump Systems and Characteristics
- Steering and control systems
- Auxiliary control systems
- Fire-protection systems
- General knowledge and boatyard etiquette
ABYC Standards Covered:
- A-1, Marine Liquefied Petroleum (LPG) Systems
- A-4, Fire Fighting Equipment
- A-6, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Equipment
- A-24, Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems on Boats
- A-31, Battery Chargers and Inverters
- A-32, Power Conversion
- E-11, AC and DC Electrical Systems on Boats
- H-2, Ventilation of Boats Using Gasoline
- H-22, Electric Bilge Pump Systems
- H-23, Water Systems for Use on Boats
- H-24, Gasoline Fuel Systems
- H-25, Portable and Semi-Portable Marine Gasoline Fuel Systems
- H-27, Seacocks, Thru-hull Fittings, and Drain Plugs
- H-32, Ventilation of Boats Using Diesel
- H-33, Diesel Fuel Systems
- P-1, Installation of Exhaust Systems for Propulsion and Auxiliary Engines
- P-14, Mechanical Propulsion Control Systems
- P-28, Electrical/Electronic Control Systems for Propulsion and Steering
- T-1, Aluminum Applications
- TH-22, Educational Information about Carbon Monoxide
Registrations received by June 29:
$985 for members
$1,495 for nonmembers
Registrations received on or after June 30 include a late registration fee:
$1,110 for members
$1,620 for nonmembers
Certification Exam Included: YES, 1 attempt. Retesting fees apply.
Study Guide Included: YES. A spiral-bound study guide will be mailed to you. This study guide is essential to following the course instruction and preparing for the certification exam
Course Length: 9x 90 minute live online sessions (see Schedule below)
CEUs: 32
Live Online Class Schedule: ABYC Instructor Zander Parker will lead live course sessions, 3 days a week for 3 weeks, each 90 minutes long.
9:00AM – 10:30AM (ET) each day, Tuesday through Thursday.
- July 7-9
- July 14-16
- July 21-23
How this course works:
- Login to this ABYC Online Learning site during the scheduled live event to participate. Live session links are found under the Course Contents tab.
- Each session with cover 1-2 chapters in chronological order of study guide
- Q&A with instructor at the end of each session
Certification Exam Testing:
At the end of the course, participants will take the certification exam online through a third party proctoring service.
The certification exam is composed of 213 multiple-choice questions and timed at 3 hours and 30 minutes. The question content consist of approximately 45% Standards-based and 55% experiential material. At the end of the course, participants will take the certification exam online through a third party proctoring service. More details are provided on the Exam Info tab during the course.
There will be a 30-day test-by deadline. If you do not complete the exam by the given date, a $25 extension fee will be required to receive a new test-by deadline.
Exam retesting: If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may sign-up to retest at anytime. There is a retesting fee of $179 per attempt. There is no deadline to sign-up to retest by, you may retest when you are confident and ready to challenge the exam.
Certification Designations:
ABYC's Certified Advisor or Certified Technician certification designations align with the type of work being performed by the individual. Upon passing the certification exam, participants will be awarded with the Marine Systems Advisor certification or Marine Systems Technician certification, depending on their role and work experience.
For more information Click Here
ADA Requests:
We want to ensure that you have the necessary support and accommodations to succeed. If you require any accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or any other support, please let us know as soon as possible so we can make appropriate arrangements. Students with ADA accommodations must inform the ABYC in writing of said needs at the time of class registration to ensure that any special accommodations can be made for exam taking.
Cancellation Policy:
Before Course Start: Cancellations made prior to the course start date are subject to a $150 cancellation fee.
After Course Start (during course): Candidates who request to cancel while the course is still in session may be eligible for a refund in accordance with the terms below:
-No Sessions Viewed: If no course sessions have been accessed for viewed, the participant is eligible for a partial refund. The refund will be calculated as the total amount paid minus $235, which includes $85 study guide and a $150 cancellation fee.
-Sessions Accessed: If any course sessions have been accessed or viewed, the course is considered in progress. No course refund will be issued; however, if the certification exam has not been taken, a $295 refund will be provided for the unused exam fee.
After Course End: Cancellation request submitted after the course has ended are not eligible for a refund.
Refund Policy: All refunds will be issued to the original form of payment. In lieu of a refund, participants may elect to receive a credit on their account for the remaining balance, valid for use strictly toward another course registration within two years of the original course start date.
Cancellation requests may be emailed to education@abycinc.org
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LockedEd Sherman
ABYC Education VP (Retired)
Ed has been actively involved in the education business for over 35 years. He recently retired from ABYC where he was the Vice President of Education. Ed is a frequent contributor of technical articles for periodicals such as Boating, Boat US Magazine, Cruising World, and Marine Electronics Journal. Earlier in his career he was a frequent contributor to Professional Boat Builder magazine. His work has earned him multiple awards with Boating Writers International. Ed is the author of 4 best-selling marine trade titles and co-authored the ABYC textbook, “Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology.” He is the past chairman of the Marine Technology department at New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) in Warwick, RI. Ed has developed curriculum for NEIT, The International Yacht Restoration School IYRS, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Navy as well as the ABYC. He is an avid fly fisherman in both fresh and salt water and fountain pen aficionado.
Zander Parker
Maine Maritime Academy
Zander Parker is an experienced professional mariner, marine technician and maritime trades instructor. He has maintained ABYC professional credentials since 2012 and built a wealth of experience working internationally. His career began in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia and has included crewing, command and project management aboard recreational yachts, commercial USCG inspected T-boats, sub-chapter M tugboats and the iconic schooner Bluenose II. He holds licensed mariner credentials in both the United States and Canada and co-founded a successful charter boat business in 2009 on the Maine coast. He began instructing at Maine Maritime Academy in 2015 and teaches topics in small engine mechanics, boat handling, marine systems, tanker operations, watch keeping, navigation and traditional seamanship. Zander’s teaching is informed by over 20 years of experience at sea and has developed skill working with beginners and experts alike.
Mike Bonicker
ABYC Lead Instructor
American Boat and Yacht Council, Inc.
Mike Bonicker worked with Tidewater Yacht Service in Baltimore for over 20 years, starting as a tech for 5 years doing general repair, electrical and sailboat rigging. He climbed the ranks and became production manager for the remaining 15, still doing hands-on electrical and sailboat rigging work throughout his tenure.
He received his first ABYC certification, Electrical, under the instruction of Ed Sherman at New England Institute of Technology in 2000 and became a Master Tech with Standards and Corrosion by 2005.
Additionally, he has served with pride on the board of the Marine Trades Association of Maryland for over 12 years.
Boating started as a teenager for Mike when he learned to sail at 13 and raced for over 20 years and he's been a life-long fisherman from the age of 5 owning several boats both sail and power along the way.
Mike can be reached at:
- mbonicker@abycinc.org
- (410) 990-4460 x121
Christin Burt (Moderator)
Education Department Coordinator
ABYC
Contact Christin here: cburt@abycinc.org
Tim Murphy
Author
American Boat & Yacht Council
Tim Murphy is the author of Adventurous Use of the Sea (Seapoint Books, 2022) and with Ed Sherman co-author of ABYC’s Fundamentals of Marine Service Technology (2012). He is a Cruising World editor-at-large and longtime Boat of the Year judge at the Annapolis Sailboat Show each Fall, as well as a BoatUS contributing writer. He sails his 1988 Passport 40 Billy Pilgrim out of Gloucester, Massachusetts.
I might miss one or more live sessions. Are they recorded, and can I watch them later?
Answer: Yes! All live sessions are recorded and posted within 24 hours. You can access the recordings, along with all other online learning materials, for up until 60 days after the final live session has concludes. Recordings can be found under the "Live Session Access & Recordings" tab.
What platform is used for this course?
Answer: Our online learning website host live sessions using Zoom Webinar.
Can I watch this live session on an Tablet/iPad?
Answer: Yes! You will need install the Zoom app on the device. You can download those apps here:
- iOS devices: https://apps.apple.com/us/app...
- Android devices: https://play.google.com/store/...
Once the app is installed on your device, you can follow the link to the live session from the "Live Session Access & Recordings" tab and it will open the webinar software automatically.
Please note that while you can view the course on a tablet, iPad, or mobile device, you cannot use these devices for testing. You will need a desktop or laptop computer. See the Exam Details tab for more information.
I'm still having issues access the live session, who can I contact?
Answer: If you have any issues before or during the course please call ABYC Event Support Help Line at 410-990-4460 x180.
