22 JULY 2018 • FOGHORN 2570 Beverly Dr. #128, Aurora, IL 60502 T 630.236.3500 CENTA Power trAnsmIssIon LeADIng By InnovAtIon • USA based production • Over 20 unique designs • Over 16 million sold • Torsional vibration experts Trust CENTA – The Global Innovator Since 1970 CENTALINK Carbon Fiber Driveshafts Innovative flexible couplings for marine applications Let MCM manage your insurance so you can focus on your voyage MCM is a leading independent insurance brokerage based in the Pacific Northwest. Our marine practice group has more than 100 years of combined experience placing insurance and managing the marine industry’s unique risks. Whether we’re working with vessel operators, builders, repair facilities or suppliers, we create specialized solutions that meet each client’s needs. EMpLoyEE BEnEfits | ExECutivE BEnEfits | REtiREMEnt pLans insuRanCE advisoRy | pRopERty & CasuaLty Contact Damon L. Nasman at (206) 262-6375 or email damon.nasman@mcmnw.com www.mcmnw.com By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director LEGISLATIVEREPORT P resident Donald Trump has stressed that his Administration will follow a course of “America First.” In April 2017 he issued an executive order telling federal agencies to “BuyAmerican and HireAmerican.” The order emphasized, “In order to promote economic and national security and to help stimulate economic growth, create good jobs at decent wages, strengthen our middle class, and support the American manufac- turing and defense industrial bases, it shall be the policy of the executive branch to maximize, consistent with law, through terms and conditions of Federal financial assistance awards and Federal procurements, the use of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States.” The President directed every federal agency to “scrupulously monitor, enforce, and comply with Buy American Laws … and minimize the use of waivers….” Federal financial assistance awards are to maximize the use of materials produced in the United States, including manufactured products; components of manufactured products; and materials such as steel, iron, aluminum, and cement. Agencies are to minimize the issuance of waivers, and any public interest waivers that are issued should be construed to ensure the maximum utilization of goods, products, and materials produced in the United States. Commenting on the executive order, one critic concluded “that the announcement was nearly entirely one of theatrics and not of substance…. It’s not clear what, if anything, it will change.” Perhaps this is true literally, Buy America and PVA Various “Buy America” laws and policies apply to the U.S. passenger vessel sector