20 JUNE 2017 • FOGHORN HOW PVA BENEFITS YOU By Jen Wilk, Director, Public Affairs and Development PVA Working For You PVA / Coast Guard Working Group Progress Report 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 P VArecently met withAdmiral Paul Thomas and other U.S. Coast Guard leadership at the most recent Quality Partnership meeting to advance several initiatives that are being jointly worked on to benefit the passenger vessel industry and operators like you. PVA and the Coast Guard have created several working groups to tackle chal- lenges facing the industry and create best practices. These groups are comprised of Coast Guard personnel and PVA member volunteers who lend their experience and expertise to address topics of concern. As an industry committed to continuing its excellent safety record, PVAhas been working to develop best practices and enhance current procedures for areas of our operations. At the Quality Partnership meeting these groups provided an update on their progress. Slips, Trips, and Falls Working Group Directed by Bob Lawler, PVA Secretary/Treasurer, and Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Yancee McLemore, the working group has been studying slips, trips, and falls on passenger vessels and developing best practices as to how to mitigate these occurrences. Over several months, the group has gathered and analyzed data from both operators and the Coast Guard on these incidents. From their research, the group next developed a paper on the state of the industry, highlighting trends, and lessons learned from the data. The group is also in the process of developing mitigation strat- egies. These guidance documents are being finalized this summer. These tools will benefit operators to better under- stand risk, improve safety, and reduce insurance claims.