7
APRIL 2026
E
arth Day was celebrated this month on April 22. 
When it was first held in 1970 the event was estimated 
to have involved more than 20 million Americans who 
were committed to promoting and taking steps to protect the 
environment. Over the years, the participation in Earth Day 
has grown dramatically and has greatly influenced awareness 
for environmental issues. It has also helped to promote feder-
al legislation aimed at improving the environment.
Earth Day has also become a highly visible global event rec-
ognized in hundreds of countries worldwide. Today, U.S. 
businesses, non-profits, and schools all join in to celebrate 
Earth Day. 
What is the connection between PVA and Earth Day? In 
2008, then PVA President Mike Borgstrom, Wendella Sight-
seeing Boats, Chicago, Ill., felt strongly that PVA members 
needed a program to help them implement green practices 
that would not only complement their operations but demon-
strate environmental responsibility to the traveling public.
From that idea, the PVA Green WATERS program was 
born. A group of highly dedicated PVA members came 
together to create a program that is uniquely tailored to 
the needs of the passenger vessel industry. The PVA Green 
WATERS program is completely voluntary and is intended 
to assist PVA members in easily implementing and main-
taining environmentally sustainable business practices. 
Because every vessel operation is different, this program, 
which has evolved over time, is intended to be used as a 
guide and is recommended to use those practices that make 
sense for individual companies.
GREEN WATERS BEST PRACTICES MANUAL
PVA has developed a manual that guides participants 
through the world of environmentalism. Using case studies, 
it enables PVA members to quickly and economically imple-
ment environmentally friendly practices in their businesses. 
Click here to apply for the program.
If you have questions about the PVA Green WATERS 
program, please feel free to contact me at jgroundwater@
passengervessel.com.
PVA 2026 CONGRESSIONAL FLY-IN
PVA vessel and associate members gathered in Washing-
ton, D.C., this month for the 2026 PVA Congressional 
Fly-In to represent our association and industry on Cap-
itol Hill. More than 30 PVA members participated in 32 
meetings in both House and Senate offices. This annual 
gathering is an event where PVA members and staff inter-
act on a one-on-one basis with members of Congress and 
their staffs to discuss issues and topics of importance to 
JOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
AT THE HELM
Earth Day 2026 and PVA
Continued on page 50
PVA vessel and associate members from across the country met in Washington, D.C. for the PVA Congressional Fly-In

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