28 JUNE 2018 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS By Eric Christensen, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Management A mphibious Passenger Vessels (APV) have carved a particu- lar niche into the domestic passenger vessel industry. Designed to operate on both land and in the water, these craft provide passengers with a unique experience along some of the nation’s most iconic waterfronts. As vessels, APVs are regulated by the U.S. Coast Guard. As passenger vehicles, they fall under the purview of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This dual regulatory environment along with the sinking of the APV Miss Majestic in May 1999 with the loss of 13 passengers led the Coast Guard to develop inspection and operational guidelines in the form of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) 1-01. According to the Coast Guard, there are just over 140 APVs currently certificated as small passenger vessels and inspected under Subchapter T. They operate all over the country and make up approximately three percent of the inspected passenger vessel fleet. The majority of APVs operating in the U.S. are either refurbished or modeled after the World War II amphibious trucks known as DUKWs. DUKW is an Army acronym based on D indicat- ing the model year, 1942; U referring to the body style, utility (amphibious); K for all-wheel drive; and W for dual rear axles. Soldiers referred to these vehicles as “Ducks” and the name has stuck ever since. Not Just DUKWS It is important to note that not all APVs are the same. Since the publica- tion of the NVIC there have been other Focus on Amphibious Passenger Vessels to Improve Safety Each year, thousands of preventable maritime accidents are caused by operator inattention, cited twice as frequently as the next leading factor. The Furuno BR500 Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) helps to prevent these accidents. Scan this code with your smart phone for a Guided Tour of the BR500. www.FurunoUSA.com PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE MARINE GEARBOXES WWW.KARLSENNER.COM (504)469-4000 AZIMUTH THRUSTERS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS