34 AUGUST 2017 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS By Eric Christensen, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Management The Pacific Maritime Magazine Ferries Conference is unique in bringing the public transit agencies, municipal elected officials and city administrators together with the operations community to discuss where marine transit makes sense…and how best to fund it and operate it. If you provide ferry services or your community is looking at introducing one, this conference is designed for you! OCTOBER 19TH, 2017 RENAISSANCE SEATTLE HOTEL • SEATTLE, WA “Great conference! Of all the similar events I have been to, this was the best, as far as making good business connections and building existing relationships. The sessions provided just the right balance between the technical and political, and were geared well for the audience that attended. You and your team did a fine job — hats off to you!” Greg Jose, Marketing Manager, BMT Designers and Planners SPONSORSHIPS Bill Forslund bill@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285 EVENT PROGRAMMING Peter Philips peter@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285 REGISTRATION & OTHER INQUIRIES Denise Philips denise@philipspublishing.com (206) 284-8285 Ferries Conference is proudly produced by Pacific Maritime Magazine GOLD SPONSOR BRONZE SPONSORS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATION www.ferriesconference.com O n June 12, 2017, the Coast G u a r d ’ s D i r e c t o r o f Inspections and Compliance formally recognized PVA’s Flagship Safety Management System (SMS) as an acceptable method for developing a voluntary SMS. In a letter to PVA’s Executive Director, CAPT Jennifer Williams stated “The U.S. Coast Guard completed its review and has determined that Flagship SMS meets the objectives and functional requirements of a SMS as per 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 96, and this voluntary program can be accepted by the Coast Guard as it endeavors to enhance regulatory compliance and safety on domestic passenger vessels.” A safety management system is a structured and documented system enabling both shore side and vessel side personnel to effectively manage safety through a proactive culture of continual improvement. Overall, it is the com- mitment, competence, attitudes, and motivation of all personnel at all levels within a company that will determine the successful implementation of any safety management system. The PVA Flagship SMS is an alter- native Safety Management System, created by PVA members specifically for members in good standing to utilize in implementing their own SMS. It is tailored for domestic passenger and small passenger vessels, and can be scaled to accommodate large and small operators. Being a voluntary system, members implementing Flagship do not need to have third party verifica- tion. Much like the approved Alternate Security Program, the PVA Flagship SMS incorporates internal audits to determine the effectiveness of imple- mentation. One of the benefits highlighted in the Coast Guard’s acceptance letter was Coast Guard Recognizes PVA’s Flagship Safety Management System