26 JUNE 2018 • FOGHORN HOW PVA BENEFITS YOU By Jen Wilk, Director, Public Affairs and Development PVA Working For You PVA Members Talk With Lawmakers about the Issues that Impact Their Businesses at PVA Congressional Fly-In Event • Reduced Fuel Consumption • Reduced Wake Wash • Optimized Trim Control • Increased Passenger Comfort and Safety • Active Ride Control Stabilization L ast month, more than two dozen PVA members traveled to Washington D.C. to speak with their lawmakers about the issues that impact their businesses and the passenger vessel industry at-large, ad- vocating for policy changes through PVA’s Annual Congressional Fly-In. As constituents, business leaders, and job creators in their districts, PVA members took this opportu- nity to provide valuable real-world first-hand accounts to their Senators and Representatives as to how policies impact their business and the passenger vessel industry. Members of Congress value meeting with PVA operators. It’s important for PVA to continue fostering these ongoing rela- tionships with Members of Congress to keep advancing the legislative initia- tives of the passenger vessel industry. The Issues that Impact your Business During these 30 meetings, PVA members discussed the top issues impacting the businesses of the passenger vessel industry across the country, and what Congress can do to help. PVA members promoted safety on our nation’s waterways. Members asked their lawmakers to support H.R. 4468 a bill by Congressman Peter King calling for a U.S. Coast Guard study of recreational boat operation training. PVA operators also voiced their concerns about the proliferation of illegally operated charter vessels and encouraged the prioritization of Coast Guard enforcement of existing laws and actions against these uninspected vessels. The growing problem of these vessels carrying passengers for hire while skirting regulation is a danger to public safety and Congress should take action.