OCTOBER 2018 • FOGHORN 41 LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Let‘s talk about it Is Electric Right For You? Torqeedo Inc. 171 Erick Street, Unit A - 1 Crystal Lake, IL 60014 T +1 (815) 444 8806 usa@torqeedo.com www.torqeedo.com PVA Rivers Region Meeting November 14-16, 2018 Aboard Gateway Arch Riverboat Company’s M/V Becky Thatcher St. Louis, MO PVA and Regulatory Relief It is true that the introduction of new regulatory projects by the federal government has all but halted. This is welcome news for the passenger vessel industry which has carried the burden of far reaching, uncoordinated regula- tion for years. While new regulatory projects have literally dried up, PVA continues to push for even more regulatory relief for its members. Over the last several months, PVA has advocated for relief from the following regulatory items: • Delay the Implementation of TWIC Readers • Harmonize the Definition of “Service Animals” under ADA • Provide Flexibility in Scheduling Five (5) Year Drydocks • Change the Service Interval for IBAs to Two (2) Years • Eliminate Radar Observer Refresher Training • Provide Relief from Vessel General Permit (VGP) Reporting • Modify Training Requirements for Non-Tank Vessel Response Plans to Allow Approved Alternate Plans • Provide Relief from FCC Radio Telephone Inspection on the Great Lakes • Amend Inland Navigation Rules to Eliminate Requirements for Day Shapes • Eliminate Requirement for Inland Vessels to Carry Flares • Modernize Outdated First Aid Kit Requirements PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 PVA staff is assembling an exciting array of activities, sessions, seminars and speakers for the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019, January 17-20 in New Orleans. We hope that you have factored this event into you travel plans. Watch your email for convention updates in the coming weeks. In the meantime, please let me CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 know whenever we can be of assistance to you. Sincerely, John R. Groundwater Executive Director n