APRIL 2018 • FOGHORN 5 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Groundwater ment. Under the new rule, the threshold for reporting a marine casualty increased from $25,000 to $75,000. Also, the threshold for a serious marine incident has been increased from $100,000 to $200,000. Jen Wilk’s column (page 30) discusses PVA’s work to achieve this much-needed regulatory change. PVA/ABA Amphibious Vehicle Summit In February, PVA and the American Bus Association hosted a highly successful summit inAlexandria, VAfor operators of amphibious vehicles. The event, which attracted nearly 80 operators, suppliers and government officials. The goal of the meeting was to bring together amphibious vehicle operators to share knowledge, ideas and best practices. Some of the discussions included, How to Establish an Effective Preventative Maintenance Program, The Importance of Community Relations, How to Effectively M a n a g e a C r i s i s , Enhancing Employee Training to Advance Safe Operations and H o w A m p h i b i o u s Passenger Vehicle O p e r a t i o n s H a v e Changed in Recent Years. Those in atten- dance agreed that they would like to hold similar events in the future. Coast Guard Industry Days PVA staff will participate in more than 20 Coast Guard Industry Day events across the country during 2018. These meetings are very important in that they involve local Coast Guard, a variety of maritime players and operators, as well as passenger vessel operators. PVA staff has received numerous invitations to speak at these events. We welcome these opportunities in that they allow us to discuss issues and topics of importance to PVA members. In past years, PVAhas highlighted the growing problem of illegal charter operations in many of our ports. As a result, the Coast Guard has stepped up its enforcement efforts in certain areas of the country. This increase in enforce- ment, I believe, is a direct result of PVA’s efforts to focus attention on this issue. In making presentations at Coast Guard Industry Day events, PVA staff is able to discuss other issues on which the association is working and has Interacting With Industry and the Coast Guard Last month, PVA President Gus Gaspardo and PVA staff participated in the 2018 Inland Waterways Conference in New Orleans. This annual conference brings together key players on the Western Rivers, including towboat and barge operators, passenger vessel operators, port and terminal operators, along with rep- resentatives for the Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other government agencies. Gus joined Rear Admiral Paul Thomas, Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Eighth District, United States Coast Guard, Major General Richard Kaiser, Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division, and Norm Antrainer, Florida Marine Transporters, LLC. In providing welcoming remarks to conference attendees. In his remarks, Gus u n d e r s c o r e d h i s c o m p a n y ’ s l o n g history of operating passenger vessels on the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul, MN. He explained, that is company, Padelford P a c k e t C o m p a n y spends countless hours on the river and, as a result, are committed to ensuring a “safe and vibrant waterway for all who use it.” Taking an opportunity to highlight some of PVA’s successes and priorities, he underscored the strong safety record of PVA members and to their commitment to safety, professionalism and continuous improvement. Gus discussed PVA’s new Online Training Portal, which, in co- operation with PVA Member Marine Learning Systems, is being used to strengthen safety training, knowledge and, most importantly, to deliver results. Gus pointed with pride to the recent release of the PVA/Coast Guard white paper aimed at reducing slips, trips and falls aboard passenger vessels. The study found that, on average, nearly 36% of all personnel injuries were associated with slips, trips and falls. While this study is focused on passenger vessels, its findings are applicable to many other types of vessels. The Coast Guard’s final rule increasing dollar thresh- olds for marine casualty reporting was published just prior to the opening of the Inland Waterways Conference and Gus was able to this publicize important PVAachieve- LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 37 PVA President Gus Gaspardo gives welcome remarks at the 2018 Inland Waterways Conference. (l-r) General Richard Kaiser, USACOE, Gus Gaspardo, PVA,Admiral Paul Thomas, USCG.