The maritime industry is currently navigating a period of exciting transformation, and the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2026 served as a definitive roadmap for this transition. Hosted at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, the event was a friendly gathering designed to address the intersection of legacy operations and technological innovation. From the first committee meetings on February 21 to our final gala on February 25, the agenda prioritized execution, regulatory strategy, and technological integration. For me, as your president, this convention was more than just a meeting; it was a masterclass in how we, as an industry, maintain our momentum even when our federal partners are sidelined.
From the first committee meetings to our final gala, the agenda prioritized execution, regulatory strategy, and technological integration.
The strategic groundwork began on Saturday with a deep dive into our legislative and regulatory backbone. Richard Patch convened the PVA Legislative Committee for a day of collaborative discussion on U.S. Coast Guard priorities and the upcoming Surface Transportation Bill. The bill offers a lot of exciting possibilities and opportunities for ferries and shipyards. Meanwhile, Eric Christensen led the Safety & Security and Regulatory Committees, in a combined packed-house meeting that defined the compliance landscape for the next fiscal year and discussed several upcoming training resources. These intensive working sessions were balanced by executive networking at our welcome reception, and an exclusive leadership dinner provided the necessary environment for peer-to-peer alignment.
However, the tone of our opening general session on Sunday was undeniably shaped by the empty seats where our U.S. Coast Guard partners should have been had Congress approved a Continuing Resolution on time to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Coast Guard. While we expected Commandant Kevin Lunday as our opening general session speaker to discuss Coast Guard priorities, the reality on the ground was a total absence of leadership from the DHS. Needless to say, I am extremely frustrated with our elected leaders, legislative and executive, for allowing this situation to occur, especially when we are working so hard to move our industry forward. It is deeply disappointing to me that, for the second year in a row, safety has been deprioritized within the Department of Homeland Security.
In the vacuum left by this situation, Congressman Thomas Massie stepped in as our opening keynote session speaker with a level of support that was truly refreshing. He reiterated his unwavering commitment to the Jones Act and the Passenger Vessel Services Act and demonstrating that he truly understands the importance of the Coast Guard’s safety mission. His presence reminded us that while the DHS may be failing us, we still have strong allies in Washington. Former NTSB Board Member Todd Inman further hammered this point home during his session, “When Minutes Matter: Risk, Resilience, and Responsibility,” where he echoed the critical nature of a robust safety framework. It seems everyone in our industry agrees that safety is the Coast Guard’s top priority—except, apparently, the Department of Homeland Security.
A personal highlight for me was witnessing a masterclass in industry evolution through our legends panel. Industry luminaries Gary Frommelt, Terry Wirginis, and Michael Borgstrom participated in an open dialogue on the industry’s past and where it is headed. This panel was exceptional; it bridged the gap between the foundations of our business and the future we are currently building. It provided exactly the kind of high-level perspective we need, and it is my hope that this marks the beginning of a new MariTrends tradition.
This spirit of shared wisdom carried directly into Passenger Vessel Operators Day on Wednesday. The sessions were absolutely packed, proving that our members are hungry for actionable operational intelligence. The standout session was undoubtedly “Stick it. Share It. Solve It.: An Operations Forum,” led by Tim Ratcliffe. It was a massive hit; the room was at capacity, and the dialogue was incredibly productive as operators swapped real-world solutions for the challenges we face daily. This energy carried through the rest of the day, from Tabor Young’s insights on team communication to Tim Roche’s update on PVA Crew Training Tools.
Despite the federal hurdles, we remained focused on the technological disruption redefining our sector: artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The session “AI Won’t Wait” served as a critical wake-up call, emphasizing that AI is now a current operational necessity for watchstanding and near-miss reporting. We also explored how AI can help streamline safety and maintenance compliance, moving our operations from reactive to predictive.
Sustainability was the other dominant theme, addressed through the lens of hard economics and operational viability. We analyzed the technical “dilemma” of AC versus DC charging and received a practical guide to leveraging marine batteries effectively. The takeaway was clear: our transition to zero emissions must be as sustainable for our balance sheets as it is for the planet.
Beyond strategy, the MariTrends 2026 Exhibit Hall functioned as our tactical hub, offering everything from lunch-and-learn sessions with legal expert Steve Bers to updates on the PIT Tool by Bob Bijur. The hall also hosted the Passenger Vessel Foundation Region Competition, an essential fundraiser for industry education and safety resources.
We concluded the week with the President’s Dinner and awards ceremony aboard the M/V Belle of Cincinnati. The night ended on a spectacular note with a fireworks display over the river—a detail from our conversation rather than the written agenda. Surrounded by bourbon, cigars, and friendship, it was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do. We left Northern Kentucky with a clear strategic framework and a unified voice. I am already looking forward to keeping this momentum going at next year’s MariTrends in Tampa.
Sincerely,
Andrew Sargis
PVA President, 2026
Andrew Sargis, PVA President 2026