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 32SEPTEMBER 2016 • FOGHORN 5 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Groundwater PVA Region Meetings—an Exciting Fall Line-Up One way in which you can get up-to-speed on the issues facing your operation and your region is to participate in one or more of the PVA region meetings scheduled this fall. When you attend, you can expect a full program of insightful and thought-provoking topics aimed directly at the passenger vessel industry. Fellow PVAmembers will join you in comprehensive discussions of issues that affect all operators; and some emerging trends also. In addition, key Coast Guard and government rep- resentatives will be active participants. This offers you a valuable opportunity not only to build relationships, but to ask specific policy questions of these informed government representatives. Following is a list of each upcoming PVA Region Meeting: I hope that you will join us at one, or more, of these important PVA meetings. Volunteers and PVA Have you considered volunteering to participate on a PVA Committee or special project? As you can imagine, volunteers are the lifeblood of our association. Volunteers contribute the energy and expertise that is essential to fur- thering PVA’s interests and its service to members. Many of the PVA programs and tools that you regularly use were created by member volunteers who took the initial step to become involved. PVA committees—Legislative, Regulatory, Safety and Security, Membership and Insurance—are constantly looking to attract new members who will contribute ideas and offer assistance. Expertise is not necessary. A desire to contribute is key. I hope that you will contact me if you would like to discuss ways in which you can become involved as a PVA volunteer. In the meantime, please let me know whenever we can be of any assistance to you. Sincerely, John R. Groundwater Executive Director n PVA — Representing Your Business Interests As diverse as the industry that it represents, PVA’s advocacy efforts are aimed at a variety of government legislation, regulations and programs. As a result, your Association is vig- orously advocating for you on an ever-growing list of issues that impact your business. Our goal is to ensure that you are afforded a healthy business operating environment. As you know, U.S. Coast Guard regulatory, security and inspection matters, along with mariner licensing challenges, rules from the Environmental ProtectionAgency,Americans with Disabilities (ADA) regulations from both the Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation and long-anticipatedADArules from the U.S.Access Board, waterways management problems, including illegal charters and rail jumper enforcement are just a few of the issues upon which PVA is working. In addition, PVA staff works with key Members of Congress and their staff to ensure that they understand the issues facing passenger vessel operators. PVA’s leadership, volunteers and staff are committed to furthering positions and policy that promote your continued success. Because of this commitment, PVAcan point to many significant successes in working with Congress and the regu- latory agencies to avoid regulation that places unnecessary burdens on passenger vessel operators; many of whom are small businesses. TWIC Readers and New FCC Radio Requirements This year, PVA was successful in its efforts to rescind the one-size-fits-all survival craft law. This saved PVAmembers thousands of dollars in unnecessary equipment expenses. Last month, PVAhad yet another important achievement when the Coast Guard released its TWIC Reader regula- tion. This final rule exempted the majority of PVA members from having to install TWIC readers aboard their vessels. As a result, PVA members will again save PVA members thousands of dollars in unnecessary equipment expenses. Under the rule, passenger vessels with 20 or fewer TWIC-holding crewmembers on a vessel’s Certificate of Inspection (COI) are exempt. The rule also exempts vessels that carry 1,000 passengers or fewer. Also last month, at PVA’s urging (along with aligned organizations and the Coast Guard), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) favorably ruled that passenger vessels could use Class D DSC-VHF radios instead of having to use more expensive Class-A units. Again, this resulted in a direct savings for PVA members. As you know, PVA volunteers and staff will continue to work tirelessly in your behalf to ensure a healthy and pros- perous business environment. We welcome your input and participation in this effort. PVA Western Region Meeting October 11-13, 2016 Hilton Anchorage Anchorage, AK PVA Great Lakes Region Meeting October 24-26, 2016 West Bay Beach Holiday Inn Resort Traverse City, MI PVA Rivers Region Sales, Marketing and Operations Meeting Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel November 3-4, 2016 Pittsburgh, PA PVA Original Colonies/ Southeast Region Meeting November 9-11, 2016 Holiday Inn Charleston Historic Downtown Charleston, SC