b'Continued from page 7: Letter from the Executive DirectorAT THE HELM PVA URGES HHS TO partment of Health and Human Ser- oralfluiddrugtesting.Initsletter, TAKE ACTION ON ORAL vices(HHS)totakeimmediatesteps PVA highlighted the advantages ofFLUID DRUG TESTING to modernize drug testing protocols,oral fluid testing, such as lower cost, PVA leaders have long recognized to include oral fluid drug testing, forlessinvasivecollection,andestablish-logisticalproblemsassociatedwithsafety-sensitivemaritimeworkers. ingtheabilitytodirectlyobservecol-traditionaldrugtestingmethods,lections. PVA stressed that oral fluid especially as states relax laws relatingIn a letter to Secretary Robert F. Ken- testing provides accurate results andto marijuana use and possession. Asnedy, Jr., PVA urged HHS to certifywillkeepemployeesworkingwhile a result, PVA has called upon the De- drugtestinglaboratoriestoconductalsomaintainingsafety.Readthe letter here.PVA OPPOSES COAST GUARD PROPOSED RULETO REMOVE ATONSInJune,PVAvoicedstrongoppositionto a proposed U.S. Coast Guard rule whichwouldremovenearly350aidstonavigation(AtoNs)intheNorth-east United States. In its letter to the Coast Guard District 1 Commander, PVA expressed its alarm with the po-tentialfornavigationalsafetyhazardsthatwouldbecreatedbyremovingthenavigationalaids.PVAemphasizedthatthereare75 PVAvessel-membercompanieswith310 vessels operating in the FirstCoast Guard District. This includes severallargeferryoperationstransit-ingoffshorewhodependonbuoys for visual reference and situation-alawareness,particularlyinpoor weather and high-traffic areas. These smallpassengervesseloperatorscarrythousands of passengers each year in unpredictableweatherconditions. The lives of both passengers andcrew depend on having reliable andfamiliarnavigationalaidsavailabletothem. Read the letter here.PVA SUMMER MEMBERSHIP BILLING PROGRAMThismonthyouwillreceiveaninvoicefor your 2026 PVA membership dues FOGHORN 52'