32 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director Small Shipyard Grant Program Extended for Three More Years O ne of the Passenger Vessel Association’s advocacy goals for the 115th Congress was achieved this past December when the federal government’s Small Shipyard Grant Program was renewed for another three years (through fiscal 2020). The Small Shipyard Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Maritime Administration, has been in existence for approximately a decade. During this time, PVA members that operate shipyards have successfully competed for grant funds to modernize their fa- cilities with new equipment such as marine travelifts, gantry and rough terrain cranes, precision cutting systems, welding machines, scissors lifts, and portable work shelters. This competitive program has proved to be extremely popular, with each funding round producing scores of proposals seeking funding in amounts substantially greater than the dollars available for award. An example of the how the grant program can benefit a shipyard occurred on December 12, 2017, in Dorchester, New Jersey, when PVA associate member Yank Marine cel- ebrated the acquisition of a new 820- metric ton marine travelift, the second largest mobile marine travelift in the United States. It was obtained with significant financial help from the Small Shipyard Grant Program. PVA Associate Member Marine Travelift of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, manufac- tured the equipment. The renewal of the Small Shipyard Grant Program was included as part of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. President Trump signed the bill (H.R. 2810) into law on • Reduced Fuel Consumption • Reduced Wake Wash • Optimized Trim Control • Increased Passenger Comfort and Safety • Active Ride Control Stabilization