28 NOVEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN SAFETYMATTERS 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 We NY, too! We NY, too! When the Coast Guard sent PVA the Notice, they asked that we dissemi- nate the findings to our members and encourage vessel owners and operators of similar type vessel to adopt prudent actions to mitigate risks identified as causal factors in this passenger injury. The Notice recommended: • Routinely assess or reassess op- erational risks while vessel is in operation. • Review company policies in the context of the risk to passengers who enter the forward area between the barrier gate and first row of vehicles. • Provide passenger safety briefings that highlight the hazards of standing between loading gate and parked vehicles. • Place signage noting the forward area of the ferry behind barrier gate is off limits during docking evolu- tions, and request passengers to exercise care at all other times while on the vessel. • Mark or place barriers designating deck areas with restricted passenger access. • Deckhands should exercise positive control over passengers and prohibit them from standing between the first row of vehicles and the forward barrier gate during docking opera- tions. • Encourage passengers to remain in their vehicles during the transit, and caution those who want to leave the vehicle that they must be back in their vehicles well in advance of docking. The recommendations above are for a particular kind of vessel, but the bottom line is to assess the risk of your operation and implement strategies, whether signs, barriers, or crew en- gagement to mitigate the risk. Many of the PVAmember vessels I have been on board have implemented various strat- egies to keep passengers away from po- tentially hazardous areas. Most will use signage and physical barriers. These practices were reaffirmed at the Great Lakes Region Meeting when the subject of the Notice was brought up. We all remember after the movie Titanic came out, nearly all vessel members had to rope off the forward railing or bulwarks of their vessel to keep passengers from re-enacting one of the movie’s classic scenes. Over 20 years later, those barriers remain, much to the dismay of a new generation of fans. One particular operation that has had to grapple with passenger man- agement is the Staten Island Ferry. The idea of being first off the boat is not a uniquely New York thing, but with thousands of passengers on board, jockeying for position, some put them-