JUNE 2019 • FOGHORN 27 LEGISLATIVEREPORT certain passenger vessels and other “harborcraft” must use low-sulfur fuel and that certain vessel operators replace older marine engines with newer tier engines with fewer emissions (or take other measures that produce equivalent emissions results). Now, the California Air Resources Board has embarked on a project to impose even stricter engine emissions requirements for har- borcraft. PVA operators in California have convened periodic conference calls to evaluate the proposals and to coordinate their responses prior to the proposed regulation being issued. In Washington State, the plight of the federally-protected Southern Resident Killer Whale was addressed by several pieces of legislation enacted this year. There were already in existence federal rules issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act specifying how closely a vessel can approach a killer whale in Puget Sound. However, the state wanted stricter measures. A Task Force convened by Governor Jay Inslee recommended suspending all whale watching activity for three to five years, expanding the vessel viewing limits from 200 to 400 yards, and des- ignating certain waters as vessel “No Go Zones.” A bill (SB 5577) introduced in the legislature embraced some, but not all, of the recommendations of the Task Force. Eventually, lawmakers approved an amended version. The new state law says that a vessel can approach no closer than 300 yards and can “park it the path” of a killer whale no closer than 400 yards. It imposes a seven-knot vessel speed limit within ½ mile of a killer whale. It requires a state license (after the payment of a fee) to engage in commercial whalewatching, and it anticipates that the number of such licenses may eventually be capped. Is your state government con- sidering a measure that could affect passenger vessel safety or operations? If so, let PVA know right away. n INTRODUCING THE X SERIES From the leaders in mixed flow technology comes the next generation of waterjet propulsion. Learn more at marinejetpower.com YOUR SEATING SOLUTION Phone: (417) 725-2667 marketing@springfieldgrp.com Commercial Catalog Available online