b'FOGHORN FOCUSBiscayne Lady Yacht Charters has seen dozens of crew members take advantage of the PVF Grant Program. For Quincy withSan Juan Cruises, a grant this winter made a significant difference in her ability to achieve her 100-ton captains license. The ability to have a Currently on staff, two of my full-time captains started with us as deckhands and kind of worked their way up and grant that would pay a got licensed through the program as well. Since 2019, he has had 12 team members receive PVF grants. substantial portion of this,In fact, their operation uses the PVF Grant Program as a recruitment tool. When looking for new deckhands, they in their case, monumental explain to candidates that after a year of employment at Charleston Tours & Events, the operation will support em-amount of money thatployees in good standing in pursuing a captains license. It lets people see from the start that there is a path to grow in theyre going to have to paythe maritime industry and specifically within the operation.PHOTOS FROM LEFT: BISCAYNE LADY YACHT CHARTERS, SAN JUAN CRUISESto get certified is a hugeBijurs team also mentions the grant program to new hires, sitting down with individuals to discuss their goals on the bonus. Then they can seeday the start. Some people are looking for a job to make money without long-term interest in the industry. Others are the light at the end of thesearching for summer jobs or internships. When the team speaks with someone looking to build a career in hospitality tunneland it became anand maritime, Bijur said the grant program is one way the achievable thing. operation can offer employees support in reaching their goal. Some operations take a different approach. No, I kind of BOB BIJUR wait until I see if theyre really serious, Schmidt explained. BISCAYNE LADY YACHT CHARTERS, If they first put in the sea time and point that theyre seri-MIAMI, FLA. ous, then we tell them about it.FOGHORN 32'