Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 324 JUNE 2016 • FOGHORN PVA’s Success is Linked Directly to Member Participation Associations such as ours bring together hard-working, dedicated professionals from a multitude of backgrounds. PVA is made up of a family of passenger vessel owners and operators who are involved in a diverse array of vessel operations. From ferries and dinner boats to whale watch vessels and water taxis, PVA members are located in virtually every port from coast-to-coast. Our Association also includes as members, manufac- turers and service companies who provide a wide variety of necessary products and services for passenger vessel operators. These loyal individuals and companies play an important role in PVA by working closely with members to offer assistance and help solve operational problems. They also contribute to the industry by actively participat- ing in key PVA events and providing valuable expertise and energy to important PVA projects. PVA staff, along with many volunteer members, work together to further industry interests through aggressive legislative and regulatory advocacy activities and by de- veloping indispensable programs and tools for member use. PVA committees continuously identify critical issues impacting member operations and then develop and implement programs or activities to address them. This is aimed squarely at providing excellent service to PVA members and achieving the common goal of promoting a superior business environment for all of us. This is extremely important because the business of operating a successful passenger vessel company in today’s world is becoming increasingly challenging. Gone are the days when a company could “go it alone” and hope to survive. It takes relationships and reliable sources of resources to achieve success. PVA is an important resource for its membership in meeting our day-to-day operational challenges. Yet, PVA would not be the suc- cessful resource that it is without the support of its many engaged members. As a small vessel operator, with two Subchapter K ferries, I have a small staff and limited “in-house” resources. When I first started with Beaver Island Boat Company, 16 years ago, I was constantly searching for resources that would make a real difference in my operation. Then, I knew very little about PVA and what it had to offer. Our company was a longtime PVA member, but had not been particularly active over the years. As the company’s new General Manager, I began attending PVA meetings as often as I could to learn more about the asso- ciation and its benefits. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, and with the advent of passenger vessel security requirements of the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA), I was in need of help to ensure that our vessels were in compliance with the new law. I subsequently became familiar with PVA’s Alternate Security Program (ASP), which provided an easy, and effective, way for my company to implement the security require- ments of MTSA. The PVA ASP saved my company thousands of dollars in develop- ment costs and staff time. Developing such a plan on our own would have been a signifi- cant undertaking for our small company. Now, as I look to the future and the possibility of the government mandating Safety Management Systems (SMS) for U.S.-flagged passenger vessels, I am relieved that PVA once again has stepped up-to the-plate and has developed FLAGSHIP. This exciting new program offers PVAmembers a way to easily implement a scalable SMS that is appropriate for their company size and type of operation. Some PVA members are already using FLAGSHIP and you may have even read about it in previous issues of the FOGHORN magazine. Both the PVAASP and the Flagship SMS were developed through many staff and committee reviews and as a direct result of individual PVA member participation. Such products are important to many of our member operations. The dedication, energy and commitment that our members and staff demonstrate in developing these programs are impressive. These individual members, who have contributed to the development of such programs, are busy running businesses and struggling with many day- to-day challenges, yet they somehow find time to participate, addressing tough issues of concern to PVA and its membership. Volunteerism is a vital part of PVA. We are fortunate to have so many PVA member volunteers in action doing incredible work on your behalf. From my early days with PVA to my present time as President, I have thoroughly enjoyed my volunteer work with PVA. My company has benefited in so many ways from its membership and I am glad to give back as a volunteer. I hope more of you will take the time to become more active in the association by volunteering. There is definitely strength in numbers and your active participation in PVA will contribute greatly to the better- ment of our industry and association. Please let me or any PVA staff member know if you have any questions about how you can become more active in our association. Thank you for your support. Sincerely, Sincerely, Margo Marks President n LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Margo Marks