JUNE 2017 • FOGHORN 21 HOW PVA BENEFITS YOU Engine Automation Controls Working Group Lead by Mike McElroy, of Wendella Sightseeing Boats and PVA Safety and Security Committee Chair, along with Marc Cruder, Coast Guard Traveling Inspector, the Engine Automation Controls Working Group has finalized their work. This group has conducted extensive research into protocols to test engine automation controls. In addition, the group determined which parts of the regulations appro- priately apply to small passenger vessels. From this effort, over many months, the group formulated best management practices and protocols that best fit our industry. The results will be distributed through Coast Guard policy letters and guidance documents, which are currently at headquarters under review for final approval, and will subsequently be released to the field this summer. Illegal Charters Working Group Under the leadership of Mike Borgstrom, PVA Past President and President of Wendella Sightseeing Boats, PVA and the Coast Guard are drafting a charter to create a working group to address illegal charters. The group will address concerns and promote increased enforcement actions against illegal charter operators and boat sharing websites that market such activities. PVA hopes to have this charter signed and have the group initiate work in the fall. For more details on this PVA initiative see Eric Christensen’s column in this month’s issue of FOGHORN magazine. ASP Revision Working Group PVA also provided an update at the Quality Partnership meeting on the progress of the Alternate Security Program working group. While not officially chartered with the Coast Guard, like the other groups mentioned, this collection of PVAmember volunteers are working with PVAstaff to revise the current Alternate Security Program (ASP). The ASP is a program available to PVA members to meet their security program compliance requirements under the Maritime Transportation Safety Act (MTSA). The ASP is adapted to best fit the passenger vessel operators in meeting their security requirements. This summer, PVA will update and submit the revised ASP to the Coast Guard for approval in advance of the September deadline. PVA will then distrib- ute the new version of the ASP to the membership using the program. If you would like to know more about how your company could benefit from using theASP, or have questions about the ASP in general, feel free to contact me at 1-800-807- 8360 ext. 24 or jwilk@passengervessel.com. Through these working groups, PVA is continuing to tackle challenges and improve the safety of the industry. PVA is working you. n +1 920.686.5117 sales@burgerboat.com burgerboat.com/commercial 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