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 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 4026 MARCH 2017 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director 1.800.777.0714 toll free www.merequipment.com 8-500kW Marine Generators // Pull harder in the harshest marine environments // More copper & premium corrosion resistance // Superior motor starting & low operating temps // Better fuel economy & longer engine life // Easy to service & worldwide dealer support // Proudly made in America Let MCM manage your insurance so you can focus on your voyage MCM is a leading independent insurance brokerage based in the Pacific Northwest. Our marine practice group has more than 100 years of combined experience placing insurance and managing the marine industry’s unique risks. Whether we’re working with vessel operators, builders, repair facilities or suppliers, we create specialized solutions that meet each client’s needs. EMpLoyEE BEnEfits | ExECutivE BEnEfits | REtiREMEnt pLans insuRanCE advisoRy | pRopERty & CasuaLty Contact Damon L. Nasman at (206) 262-6375 or email damon.nasman@mcmnw.com www.mcmnw.com “T here is no federal law or regu- lation that currently requires vessel operators to make any notification or report to law enforce- ment authorities regarding passengers possessing marijuana.” That is the advice recently directed to then-PVA President Margo Marks in a December 20, 2016, letter from Captain J. D. Neubauer, Chief of the Coast Guard’s Office of Investigation and Analysis. Margo had asked for written clari- fication from the Coast Guard what a vessel operator is legally required to do in a situation in which crew members become aware that a passenger possesses marijuana in “personal use” amounts. This is becoming an increasingly common event as indi- vidual states legalize or decriminalize marijuana for medical or recreational purposes. According to Mr. Lee Seham of PVA Associate Member American Maritime Safety, Inc., White Plains, NY., 28 states now permit medical marijuana in some fashion, while eight of these allow both medical and recreational marijuana. Margo sought written guidance because PVAfelt this to be a “gray area” in which there was no clearly-articulat- ed Coast Guard policy. In fact, various PVA operators who inquired of local Coast Guard officials had received varying and contradictory answers, without reference to specific statutes, regulations, or policy statements. PVA asked: “Do Coast Guard regu- lations expressly prohibit possession of marijuana in personal-use amounts by a passenger on a passenger-carry- ing vessel? Is the operator of the vessel obligated by law or regulation to notify the Coast Guard or federal and/or No Duty to Report Passenger’s Possession of Marijuana