PVA 2026 President Andrew Sargis represented the passenger vessel industry at a maritime safety roundtable convened by House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell. Chairman Ezell organized the roundtable after PVA proposed the discussion during its annual Congressional Fly-In. Sargis participated alongside representatives of other U.S.-flag maritime industries to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine safety mission and the services on which domestic vessel operators depend.
Sargis emphasized that PVA members safely carry approximately 200 million passengers annually aboard U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-flag vessels. While reaffirming PVA’s longstanding partnership with the Coast Guard, he cautioned that its domestic marine safety mission must remain a priority. He urged Congress to fully resource that mission, ensure that the National Maritime Center can continue its critical work during federal funding lapses, and direct a comprehensive assessment of Aids to Navigation maintenance and placement needs on the Western Rivers.
Sargis also called for stronger enforcement against illegal passenger-for-hire operations, which evade inspection and other federal safety requirements while placing passengers at risk. He thanked the Subcommittee for initiating a Government Accountability Office study of illegal passenger vessel operations and said PVA looks forward to participating in the review. The roundtable demonstrates the importance of PVA’s annual Congressional Fly-In and continued engagement with congressional leaders in creating opportunities for the passenger vessel industry to bring its priorities directly to policymakers.