b'HOW PVA BENEFITS YOUBy Jen Wilk,How PVA Benefits YouDirector, Public AffairsHow PVAs Regulatory Committee Is Working for Youand DevelopmentL ast month, PVAs Regulatorytions between recreational and com- to work with the Coast Guard on Committee came together tomercial vessels in addition to otherimproving the permitting process. discuss the associations regula- areas of user conflict, PVA has beenPVAs goal is to relay industry concerns tory initiatives. invited to participate on the projectson early notification to impacted stake-The PVA Regulatory Committeesteering committee. holders of an event application and continues its outreach and educationIf you had the opportunity toproviding ample time in advance work regarding promoting safety onattend a PVA Region Meeting this fall,of permit issuance for comments our shared waterways through itscongested waterways was an item onon the proposed event.PVA is ongoing work with recreational boatingthe agenda.At these meetings, localplanning a meeting with Coast Guard safety organizations and the U.S. CoastCoast Guard speakers talked aboutHeadquarters staff from the Office of Guards Office of Boating Safety. the Marine Event Permitting process.Waterways Management to do just that. An update of the critical resource,We appreciate the Coast Guards par- The committee also discussed A Guide to Multiple Use Waterwayticipation in these events, becauseseveral final regulatory projects that Management, is being undertak- it provides the opportunity to havehave been released by the Coast en by the National Association ofopen conversations regarding localGuard, including amendments to the State Boating Law Administratorschallenges. PVA members voiced theirMarine Observer Refresher Training (NASBLA).Funding for this projectconcerns about their ability to provideRegulations, which has yielded easier was awarded through a Coast Guardinput as to operational disruptionsendorsement renewals, and release grant.PVA has long encouraged athat would be caused by a proposedof the Mariner Medical Manual.(More revision of this tool to reflect the in- event, and while the process prescribesinformation on this Manual can be creasing and evolving challenges facingcommunity outreach, in reality, oftenfound in the October 2019 issue of our congested waterways since its lastfull stakeholder engagement is not asFOGHORN.)update in 2004.As this new editionthorough as it should be.PVA also received final approval of will address issues relevant to interac- The committee will continueits Alternative Training and Exercise Program from the Coast Guard to assist operators required to have a Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan (NTVRP) (appli-cable to vessels greater than 400 tons). In addition, PVA worked with Coast Guard to update its template which also provides assistance to members as they develop a Non-Tank Vessel Response Plan.The PVA Regulatory Committee also discussed two recent comments to the docket that PVA submitted on proposed rules.PVA supported a Coast Guard proposed regulatory change entitled Person in Charge (PIC) of Fuel Transfers. This proposal would add the option of appointing a properly trained crew member, to serve as a PIC of fuel oil transfers on any appli-cable inspected vessel by submitting a letter of designation (LOD) to the Coast Guard. Currently this job can only be done by a holder of a Merchant Mariner 28NOVEMBER 2019FOGHORN'