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 JULY 2016 • FOGHORN A Healthy Environment is Everyone’s Concern As vessel owners and operators, we all have a stake in the environment in which we operate our businesses. Whether it is the Great Lakes, Inland Rivers or the Ocean, the waters around us are constantly changing. Water levels, water temperatures, invasive species, and traffic changes all have an effect on the quality of the water we operate in. I am sure many PVA members participate in various educational programs involving water quality. There are many organizations concerned with the issues that affect our waterways. I would encourage you to continue your support of your local water environ- mental groups and if you are not already involved, please find a way to be involved. The future of the waterways we operate in, and our businesses themselves, depend on the continued care of our waters. Our company hosts local students onboard our vessel who are given the opportunity to take water and lake bottom samples. They gain an understanding of the different organisms living in the bottom of the lake. By teaching students in a “hands-on” way, they will better learn to care for the lake and its surroundings. It is important students understand what this local resource means to our community. About 400 local students par- ticipate in this experience each year. These students will carry this experience with them for the rest of their lives. The Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie — make up the largest body of fresh water on Earth, accounting for one-fifth of the freshwater surface on the planet at six quadrillion gallons. The area of all the Great Lakes is 95,160 square miles (246,463 square kilometers). We know the Great Lakes are warming and water quality is changing. What we don’t have, according to Don Uzarski, professor of biology, director of the Institute for Great Lake Research and director of Central Michigan University’s Beaver Island Biological Station, is a clear picture of what other effects the rising temperatures will have on our lakes. Beaver Island is fortunate to have a one-of-a-kind Biological Research Station operating on the island. Central Michigan University operates this station and approached Beaver Island Boat Company to form a part- nership in water testing. Our ferry travels 32 miles one-way across Lake Michigan between Charlevoix and Beaver Island up to four times a day. Each way is a two-hour trip and those hours will now be critical for taking water samples that will give us a picture of the recent changes in Lake Michigan. This monitoring system is the only one of its kind operating in the Great Lakes collecting such a wide range of data. Our ferry is the lifeline to Beaver Island. Lake Michigan is our home. Lake stewardship is something we take very seriously. We should all find a way to participate in improving the quality of our waters, including participating in the PVA Green WATERS Program, which was designed for the passenger vessel industry to conserve, preserve, and protect the fragile waterways in which we all operate. This important PVA program is an excellent benefit of your membership because it allows you to easily launch a conserva- tion program for your business with a minimum of time and expense. At the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2016, we had an opportunity to explain to Rear Admiral Paul Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy for the U.S Coast Guard, how the PVA Green WATERS Program benefits the marine environment. While address- ing the PVA convention attendees on January 25, RADM Thomas stressed the Coast Guard’s emphasis on reducing the environmental impact to mitigate the effect of climate change on our waterways. He is now aware that the PVA Green WATERS Program is voluntary and provides guidance for passenger vessel operators to reduce fuel and energy consumption, lower emissions and pollutants, and work with employees and communities to strive to be cleaner and greener for the betterment of all. I encourage you to learn more about getting involved in this vital program on the PVA Website or by contacting PVA staff. Sincerely, Sincerely, Margo Marks President n LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Margo Marks The Great Lakes as seen from space. The Great Lakes — Superior, Huron, Michigan, Ontario and Erie — make up the largest body of fresh water on Earth.