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 3218 JULY 2016 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director T he U.S. ferry industry carried just over 115 million passengers and over 30 million vehicles in the year 2013, according to the 2014 National Census of Ferry Operators. Every two years, pursuant to federal law, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) surveys the nation’s ferry operators to obtain a “snapshot” of the sector. Currently, BTS is contacting ferry operators to participate in the 2016 National Census. The Passenger Vessel Association wholeheartedly supports this effort and urges every ferry operator – whether public or private - to participate. The National Census of Ferry Operators produces the most complete compilation of ferry data, and PVA uses it to advocate at national and state levels for policies that promote ferry transportation. An important use of the collected data is to allocate ferry capital grants under the Federal Highway Administration’s formula program of aid to qualified ferry operators. Thus, any operator who receives annual FHWA capital funding is shortchanging itself if it fails to participate in the survey or if it reports fewer passengers or vehicles than it actually carries. The information collected from the census is main- tained in a National Ferry Database. It contains information regarding ferry systems, including routes, vessels, passengers and vehicles carried, funding sources and other information. The web site devoted to the National Census of Ferry Operators is at http://www.rita.dot.gov/bts/home. Enter “ferry” into the search box at the top right, and then click on the link to “National Census of Ferry Operators (NCFO).” Based on the information provided by ferry operators par- ticipating in the 2014 National Census and additional imputa- tions, BTS estimates that U.S. ferries carried over 115 million passengers and just over 30 million vehicles in calendar year 2013. There were 476 active ferry vessels. The West region had Most Recent Version of National Ferry Database Shows Industry’s Characteristics +1 920.686.5117 sales@burgerboat.com burgerboat.com/commercial LUCIA Delivered June 24, 2015 89’ (27m) Steel Passenger Vessel Proudly built in the USA Burger is recognized worldwide for quality custom vessels that provide years of dependable service. Quality Commercial Vessels... Built by Burger to Your Requirements • Aluminum and Steel Fabrication • Passenger Vessels • Research Vessels • Fast Crew Boats • Fast Supply Boats • Wind Farm Support Vessels • Fishing Vessels • Other Vessels to 260' (80m) Under Construction 103’ (31m) Steel Explorer Vessel