PASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATION tel: 1 (800) 807-8360 • fax: (703) 518-5151 • pvainfo@passengervessel.com JUNE 2019 • FOGHORN 3 Volume 18, Number 05 JUNE 2019 FOGHORN (USPS Number 023-702) is published monthly except combined January/February by Philips Publishing LLC, 4257 24th Avenue W, Seattle WA 98199. Periodicals postage paid at Seattle, WA and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FOGHORN, c/o Passenger Vessel Association, 103 Oronoco Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Copyright 2019 by the Passenger Vessel Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the Passenger Vessel Association. PRINTED WITH SOY INK FOGHORN is a monthly publication of the Passenger Vessel Association. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved. PRESIDENT Bob Lawler, Boston Duck Tours, Boston, MA VICE PRESIDENT Bob Bijur, Island Queen Cruises, Miami, FL SECRETARY/TREASURER Colleen Stephens, Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises, Valdez, AK BOARD MEMBERS Richard Davison, Paradise Cruise Ltd., Honolulu, HI Jed Dixon, North Carolina Department of Transportation - Ferry Division, Manns Harbor, NC Jim DeSimone, Staten Island Ferry, Staten Island, NY Steve Jones, Gateway Clipper Fleet, Pittsburgh, PA John Loke, Entertainment Cruises, Alexandria, VA Patrick Murphy, Blue and Gold Fleet, San Francisco, CA Alison Nolan, Boston Harbor Cruises, Boston, MA Hoyt Purinton, Washington Island Ferry Line, Washington, Island, WI Jim Swindler, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, San Francisco, CA ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE Rob McMahon, Pinnacle Marine Corporation, Stoddard, WI PAST PRESIDENTS Gus Gaspardo, Padelford Packet Boat Co., Saint Paul, MN Jeff Whitaker, Hudson River Cruises, Inc., Kingston, NY Margo Marks, Charlevoix, MI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John R. Groundwater LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Edmund Welch REGULATORY AFFAIRS CONSULTANT Peter Lauridsen DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Leslie Kagarise DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND DEVELOPMENT Jennifer Wilk DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND RISK MANAGEMENT Eric Christensen MANAGER, SPECIAL PROJECTS Zackery Reed GENERAL COUNSEL Steven Bers, Whiteford, Taylor and Preston EDITORIAL OFFICES Managing Editor: Karen Rainbolt pvafoghorn@aol.com 2771 Houston Dr., Los Osos, CA 93402 TEL: (571) 388-7752 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Richard Purinton: richard@wisferry.com Washington Island Ferry Line, Washington Island, WI ADVERTISING AND BUSINESS OFFICES Publisher: Peter Philips, peter@philipspublishing.com ADVERTISING SALES: Bill Forslund: bill@philipspublishing.com 4257 24th Avenue W, Seattle, WA 98199 TEL: (206) 284-8285 FAX: (206) 284-0391 www.philipspublishing.com About the Cover Relentless rain and snowmelt has caused record flooding on rivers in the Midwest and has hampered operations of several PVA members, including Riverboat Excursions in Hannibal, MO. Photo: Steve Terry. Columns 4 President’s Letter 5 Executive Director’s Letter 24 Legislative Report 28 Safety Matters 31 How PVA Benefits You 34 MariTrends 2020 34 Newswire 38 Member News 41 PVA Welcomes New Members 42 Advertisers’ Index FOGHORN Focus: Operations 6 “Weather” You Like it Or Not When working in the passenger vessel industry, weather is one thing that cannot be controlled, but must be closely monitored. Jeff Whitaker makes the case for deciding whether or not to sail depending on conditions. 12 Planning — The Key Ingredient to Successful Ferry Service Success usually doesn’t happen by accident. Strategic planning is necessary to building a thriving ferry operation. Kelly Lesoing lays out the elements required for success. 16 Are You Ready for Disturbances in Your Business? Catastrophic events happen. Are you ready? Ready.gov offers planning tools for business owners to prepare themselves when something bad occurs. 20 Using LED Lights Wisely The U.S. Coast Guard recently issued an alert about LED lighting causing equipment interference. What do you need to know? Holly Augustine explains. 22 Be More Like Us Passenger vessels are unique. Bob Shaw encourages vessel operators to embrace that and avoid trying to something else entirely. 33 Coast Guard Halts Illegal Charter Operation in Miami An illegal charter operation has been shut down in Florida, thanks to the U.S. Coast Guard.