The National Marine Electronics Association was founded in 1957 by a
group of electronic dealers at the New York Boat Show who got
together to discuss strengthening relationships with electronic
manufacturers. The association initially concentrated on improving
communications with manufacturers and gradually invited them to
become part of NMEA activities.
It also reached out to develop ties with the Federal Communications
Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Radio Technical
Commission for Maritime Services. In the 1980s, the association
created a uniform interface standard for digital data exchange
between different marine electronic products.
These days, it has more than 600 members across the globe that
represent marine electronic dealers, marine electronic installers,
marine electronic manufacturers, government agencies and other
adjacent associations. The majority of growth in recent years has
been internationally – largely from Europe and Asia – according to
Steve Spitzer, the association’s technical director.
Toward that end, it has a collaborative effort with the International
Electrotechnical Commission – a 100-year-old group that
concentrates on communications for larger sea vessels, including
international tankers, cruise ships and cargo ships. NMEA, on the
other hand, aims mainly at light commercial and recreational
vehicles.
An interview with Steve Spitzer,
Technical Director of the National Marine
Electronics Association
NMEA
| BusinessWorld-
Magazine
| 1
