b'ONGOING BUSINESS CaptainsChrisMyersofInterstatePVAPastPresidentBobBijurwith CAPTEvelynnSamms,thechiefNavigation,andPaulHennesseyofIslandQueenCruisesbroughtup oftheOfficeofInvestigationsandTheSteamshipAuthority,providedconcerns regarding the Coast Guards Analysis,providedstatisticsonre- theQPwithanoverviewofPVAsmallpassengervesselrisk-basedin-portsofsexualassaultandsexualvesselmembersoutreacheffortstospection matrix. There is still concern harassment (SASH) in FY 2024. Theengagelocalfiredepartmentsinamong the vessel members on how a Coast Guard is mandated to providevesselfamiliarityandplanningforvessel is determined to be Tier 1, 2, or an annual report to Congress, whichdrillsandexercises.Theyshared3 and how that information is dissem-canbefoundhere.CAPTSammsthe checklist developed by the PVAinated to the vessel operator and local noted a substantial increase in report- Safety & Security Committee to as- CoastGuardunit.Capt.Bijurhas ing from less than three cases annu- sist members in outreach efforts andtwo sister vessels with similar inspec-ally to nearly three hundred reportsprovided an update on the passengertor histories and operating routes, and in FY 2024 including a larger numbervessel-specific pre-fire template beingone was determined to be Tier 1 and of previously unreported allegationsdeveloped using guidance contain inthe other was not. Following a brief dating back over a decade. The CoastNational Fire Protection Associationdiscussiononprobabilityandcon-Guard will continue its educationalstandard 1405, which is guidance onsequencescores,regressionanalysis, outreach campaign and collaborationmarinefirefightingforshore-basedand perceived risk, the Coast Guard withfederaladvisorycommittees,fire fighters. Captain John Lake withmade an offer to do a case study on such as the National Merchant Ma- City Experiences recounted a recentBijurs sister vessels to try and clarify rine Personnel Advisory CommitteeexerciseinSanFranciscothatpro- the risk matrix.and the National Merchant Marinervided valuable insight into the need MedicalAdvisoryCommittee,toforcooperationbetweenlocalandFollowing years of effort on the part of gatherrecommendationsformorefederal response agencies. The CoastBijur and recent work with the Coast impactfulpreventiontrainingandGuardsupportedtheeffortsandGuard office of Design and Engineer-support for survivors. encouraged PVA and its members toing Standards, the Coast Guard agreed engage with the National Marine Firethat the assessment tool developed by CAPTSammsalsoreportedonFighting Task Force as they developBijurs team to help determine the in-progresstowardreleasingnationaltools and best practices.tegrity of pitted hull plate is acceptable guidancedesignedtomitigatethe impact of illegal passenger operations on public safety. The guidance that should be released soon will provide CoastGuardpersonnelclearpolicy on training, enforcement, and inves-tigatingillegalpassengeroperations. PVAstaffsharedwiththeQPthat aftermuchengagementwiththeWe do CoastGuardandMarineTranspor- more than tationSubcommitteestaffinthe House of Representatives, the Housecollaborate;TransportationandInfrastructurewe empower Committee submitted a letter to theyou through GovernmentAccountabilityOffice (GAO) directing a study of the illegalpartnership passengeroperationsproblem.This issuewasdiscussedindetailinthe September 2025 issue of Foghorn.Kongsberg MaritimeProtechting People and Planet47 OCTOBER 2025'