MAY 2018 • FOGHORN 5 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John Groundwater Coast Guard to raise the casualty reporting thresholds for a considerable time, to take into account the ‘erosion’ caused by inflation that has occurred since dollar thresholds were last set in the 1980’s. We commend the Coast Guard for this common-sense regula- tory step.” Under the new rule, the threshold for reporting a marine casualty has been increased from $25,000 to $75,000. Also, the threshold for a serious marine incident has been increased from $100,000 to $200,000. As a result, PVA member operators, and other passenger vessel companies, will only need to file a Form 2692 with the Coast Guard when an incident causes property damage above the new higher dollar threshold. Mandatory drug and alcohol testing of crew members is required when a “serious marine incident” occurs. Updating this threshold means that vessel operators will no longer be required to conduct chemical testing for casualties that are less significant than originally intended. Hopefully this will be a source of savings for PVA members. PVA Alternate Security Program (ASP) As you know, the PVA ASP is an important member benefit. As many of you are having spring inspections, those who have an ASP, may be asked about your ASP while inspectors are on-board. Please remember that the ASP is in its 4th revision, which was approved by the Coast Guard on September 12, 2017. While there were only minor changes to the program, it is important that you review your plan to ensure that you are familiar with these changes. If you feel that you need clarifica- tion or have questions relating to the revised plan, please contact PVA’s Jen Wilk at 1-800-837-8360 x24, jwilk@pas- sengervessel.com or Eric Christensen at 1-800-807-8360 x26, echristensen@passengervessel.com and they will be glad to assist you. PVA Online Safety Training Portal PVA’s Safety and Security Committee is constantly working to develop materials and training resources that PVA members can use immediately in your companies. As you may know, the committee partnered with PVA Associate Member Marine Learning Systems to develop and offer PVA’s crew training videos and manuals through an online portal that PVA members can access and use for free. This tool is available exclusively for PVA Congressional Fly-In This Month PVA members and staff will take to Capitol Hill to meet with key Members of Congress and their staffs during the Annual PVA Congressional Fly-In scheduled Tuesday, May 8 in Washington D.C. This very popular, and highly effective, annual association- sponsored event will involve PVA members from all corners of our country. During this event, more than 30 face-to-face meetings will occur during the one-day event. The PVA Congressional Fly-In provides an important opportunity for PVA members to give voice to the many of the issues, challenges and concerns facing their businesses and the passenger vessel industry at-large. The following are just a few of this year’s discussion points: • Continue to emphasize the negative effects of cumulative federal rulemaking on small business. • Emphasize the important contri- bution that domestic passenger vessel operators make to the nation’s economy. • Argue against the implementation of an “Official” logbook requirement. • Advocate for a permanent “small passenger vessel” exemption from the EPA Small Vessel General Permit. • Ensure that the Coast Guard safety and inspection program is adequately staffed and funded. • Request more funding for the Small Shipyard Grant Program. • Raise visibility for the growing problem of Illegal Charter operations in U.S. ports, which is a threat to public safety. We are particularly fortunate to have Chris Coakley, who is Vice President of Government Affairs for Saltchuck, speak to those attending the Fly-In during the morning “warm-up” session. Mr. Coakley will share his perspective on the legislative goings-on in Washington D.C. while also giving an update on issues of importance to the maritime industry. Saltchuk is a privately-owned family of diversified transportation and distribution companies headquartered in Seattle. Marine Casualty Reporting Thresholds Increase In March, PVAachieved a major regulatory goal when the U.S. Coast Guard made public a final rule dramatically increasing the property damage thresholds for reporting a marine casualty. Commenting on the final rule, PVA President Gus Gaspardo said, “PVA has been urging the LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 38