More than 30 Passenger Vessel Association vessel members and associate members traveled to the nation’s capital in Washington, D.C., last month to participate in PVA’s annual Congressional Fly-In, bringing the voice of the U.S.-flag passenger vessel industry directly to lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Before PVA members fanned out across Capitol Hill for meetings, participants gathered early in the morning for a briefing on the issues likely to arise throughout the day and what to expect during congressional meetings. Members also heard from guest speaker Jeff Lewis, who shared insights gleaned from a career working in the Senate, at the U.S. Coast Guard, and at the Maritime Administration.
Lewis reminded participants that petitioning elected officials is part of a tradition dating back more than 250 years and encouraged members to confidently tell the stories of their businesses, employees, and communities. His remarks helped frame the day not simply as a series of meetings, but as an important part of the democratic process and maritime industry advocacy.
Lewis reminded participants that petitioning elected officials is part of a tradition dating back more than 250 years and encouraged members to confidently tell the stories of their businesses, employees, and communities.
Participants were organized into regional groups and conducted meetings with 31 Congressional offices over the course of the day, including nine face-to-face meetings with members of Congress. The fly-in provided an important opportunity for operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders to share firsthand perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the passenger vessel industry.
PVA members discussed a broad range of issues important to the industry, including Coast Guard service delivery and marine safety operations, federal ferry funding programs, workforce and mariner credentialing challenges, and continued support for the Small Shipyard Grant Program. While fly-in participants raised concerns and shared experiences specific to their own states, districts, and operations, all participants were equipped with information highlighting core industry priorities and the important role of the passenger vessel industry in the nation’s transportation and tourism economy.
Members emphasized the importance of ensuring that the U.S. Coast Guard remains focused on its core maritime safety and security missions and improving service delivery for the domestic maritime industry. Participants also urged Congress to increase funding for the Small Shipyard Grant Program to its fully authorized level of $105 million and expressed support for additional investment in Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration ferry funding programs.
Throughout the meetings, PVA members highlighted the economic impact of passenger vessel operations in their home communities and emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and reliable domestic maritime transportation system.
The fly-in concluded our Hill meetings with a gathering of the full group in the House Transportation and Infrastructure hearing room in the Rayburn House Office Building. There, the group met with Rep. Mike Ezell, Chairman of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. Chairman Ezell spoke with the full contingent of PVA members and responded to as many questions as our group could muster. He and his staff carefully listened to our suggestions, concerns, and frustrations regarding challenges facing the maritime industry, particularly issues involving Coast Guard service delivery, regulatory implementation, and workforce concerns.
The meetings throughout the day reinforced the value of direct engagement between PVA members and policymakers. Congressional offices responded positively to hearing operational experiences directly from vessel operators and maritime businesses serving communities across the country.
PVA appreciates the time and effort contributed by all members who traveled to Washington to participate. These conversations help strengthen relationships with policymakers and ensure that the passenger vessel industry remains actively engaged in the federal legislative process.
Participants concluded the day with water taxi transportation courtesy of City Cruises from Washington, D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront back to Old Town Alexandria, where members gathered for dinner and an opportunity to recap the day’s events and continue conversations with colleagues from across the industry.
Richard Patch is the Legislative Director of the Passenger Vessel Association.