4 DECEMBER 2018 • FOGHORN How MTSA Changed the Passenger Vessel Industry PVA was recently invited to give a presenta- tion on “How to Effectively Manage a Coast Guard Inspection” at this year’s International WorkBoat show in New Orleans, LA. Fellow PVA members Dave Anderson of Fire Island Ferries, Dave Whanger of Entertainment Cruises, myself, and PVA Director of RegulatoryAffairs and Risk Management Eric Christensen shared our firsthand experiences with the U.S. Coast Guard. Throughout the presentation, one common theme emerged: the importance of develop- ing a professional relationship with your local and Sector Coast Guard staff. While thinking about security in preparation for this month’s article, it occurred to me just how far we have come over the last 16 years by fostering positive, respectful and open communications with the Coast Guard. On November 25, 2002, the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) was signed into law by President George W. Bush. This signaled the end of business as usual for both the passenger vessel industry and the Coast Guard. Since that day, we have encountered an onslaught of legislation that through its wide web has left many of us scratching our heads asking, “When will it stop?” and “What next?” At the time, most of us did not understand the significant role MTSA would play in changing our operations or those of the Coast Guard. It wasn’t until early 2004 when we started putting together security plans for vessels and facilities that we fully began to realize that change was inevitable and underway. With my computer, a government guide to acronyms, and much needed help from the Passenger Vessel Association, I was able to put our plan together. In the early days of MTSA implementation we focused on raising the awareness of our crew so they could readily spot trouble before it occurred. We trained and drilled regularly; I worried the captains and crew with talk of potential threats, counter measures, and hardened targets. Through all of this, the thought never occurred to me that major changes were taking place in the Coast Guard ranks as well.Also signed into law on November 25, 2002, was the Homeland Security Act, which, amongst other things, transferred the Coast Guard from the Department of Transportation into the newly established Department of Homeland Security. The new emphasis for the Coast Guard was MTSA and the congressional mandates that came from its daunting plan review and implementa- tion schedule, to TWIC and AIS. In the months and years ahead we lamented the change that was occurring within the Coast Guard. Yearly marine safety inspec- tions seemed focused on the various elements of MTSAfrom recordkeeping requirements to training and drills. Not to mention merging its Operational and Marine Safety field units into Sector commands. In early August 2007, then Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the late Representative Jim Oberstar of Minnesota offered a biting critique of the Coast Guard and the Marine Safety Program. Although some agreed with the comments, many of us worried about marine safety being farmed out to a third party or a different class society. Thankfully, Admiral Thad Allen Commandant of the Coast Guard replied by issuing his expectations for interaction with the maritime industry.AdmiralAllen offered the following: “USCG activities involving U.S. and foreign professional mariners and maritime organizations will be conducted with utmost professionalism and respect. Licensed and documented mariners are professionals who share our interests in a safe, secure, and environmentally compliant industry. Alexander Hamilton’s charge--to keep in mind that our countrymen are free men, and as such, are impatient of everything that bears the least mark of a domineering spirit-- applies as much today as it did in 1790 and equally to international mariners and our trading partners.” Admiral Allen’s comments marked the beginning of change that has been mutually beneficial to PVAmembers and the Coast Guard as our professional interactions have improved dramatically over the last decade. PVA Region Meetings, the PVAAnnual Convention at MariTrends, and Industry Days each offer opportunities to meet and greet Coast Guard officials from your local Sector commanders and staff to senior Coast Guard leaders, a practice I heartily encourage. We hope to see you next month at the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019 when we welcome the new U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Karl Schulz to the stage as he presents his vision of the Coast Guard and in- dustry’s relationship. As usual, a number of Coast Guard officers will attend the convention, which gives PVA members the perfect chance to interact and ask questions face-to-face. Thank you, Gus Gaspardo President n LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Gus Gaspardo We hope to see you next month at the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2019.