Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association

The Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association (NSBA) was established in 1998 by a small group of leading boatbuilders who shared a common vision of growing and diversifying this maritime industry beyond its original domestic fishing boat market. From a modest beginning, the association’s membership has grown to include 40 boatbuilders and 52 companies supplying products and services to the industry.

NSBA’s mission is to create and foster an environment that promotes profitable and sustained export-oriented business growth for its members. It does this by:

-Promoting the industry to markets in Canada, the US and around the world; -Managing and administering the Nova Scotia Boat Builder Apprenticeship Program; -Developing new marine trades training materials; -Promoting boatbuilding as a career; -Representing the boatbuilding industry at various government levels; and -Providing technical and market advice to boatbuilders.

In 2005, the NSBA signed the first-ever licensing agreement with New Zealand’s Boating Industry Training Organisation to adapt and deliver their boat builder training materials to apprentices registered in Canada’s Maritime provinces.

NSBA members design, build, and provide materials and equipment for a diverse range of semi-custom and custom boats, from 8′ to 80′ in length, for commercial and recreational use. All boats are built to Transport Canada or equivalent standards by a skilled workforce.