Features Columns 8 Navigating U.S. Coast Guard Inspection Prep: A Daily Operational Habit, not a Once-a-Year Scramble Rolling compliance program elements into every day routines spreads out the workload to avoid a last-minute rush. 14 When the Threat Is Closer Than You Think: Self-Defense Awareness and Preparedness for Vessel Crew After an attack on board a vessel left a captain seriously injured, learn how to prepare for unexpected emergencies. 22 Modern Valuation Methods for Passenger Vessels: USPAP and ASA Standards in Practice A proper vessel valuation protects all stakeholders from operators to buyers, from lenders to insurers. 28 From Binders to Living Safety Systems: A Practical Path to Safer Passenger Vessel Operations Moving away from static binders and forms, operations can adopt systems that will adapt with them as they grow. 36 120 Years on the St. Croix River: Celebrating a Legacy of Family, History, and Hospitality Started by a young man with a small powerboat and an entrepreneurial spirit, one family marks a major milestone. Foghorn is published monthly, except combined January/February, by the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), 103 Oronoco Street, Suite 200, Alexandria, Va., 22314 Send address changes to Foghorn at pvainfo@passengervessel.com. Copyright 2026 by the Passenger Vessel Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the Passenger Vessel Association. PASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATION PVAINFO@PASSENGERVESSEL.COM • PHONE: 703-518-5005 4 Letter From the President 7 Letter From the Executive Director 44 Legislative Report 46 Safety Matters 49 Regulatory Report 51 U.S. Coast Guard 53 Newswire 56 Member News 68 Advertisers’ Index OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATION VOL. 25, NO. 5 JUNE 2026 PRESIDENT Andrew Sargis, Wendella Sightseeing Boats, Chicago, Ill. VICE PRESIDENT John Lake, Hornblower, Alexandria, Va. SECRETARY/TREASURER Ben Bernstein, BB Riverboats, Newport, Ky. BOARD MEMBERS Chris Anglin, Cross Sound Ferry, New London, Conn. Erik Bombard, Catalina Express, San Pedro, Calif. Jenna Deegan-Brown, Grand Lady Cruises, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. Jenny Gezella, Naples Princess, Naples, Fla. Carol Hill, Dry Tortugas National Park Ferry, Key West, Fla. Christian Myers, Interstate Navigation Company, Wakefield, R.I. Sarah Pennington, Classic Harbor Line, New York, N.Y. Tim Ratcliffe, Argosy Cruises, Seattle, Wash. Hannah Wirginis Roth, Gateway Clipper Fleet Pittsburgh, Pa. ASSOCIATE MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES Peter Duclos, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass. Tosca Pinder, USI Insurance Services, Seattle, Wash. PVA PAST PRESIDENTS Jim Swindler, Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, San Francisco, Calif. Patrick Murphy, Blue and Gold Fleet, San Francisco, Calif. Steve Jones, Gateway Clipper Fleet, Pittsburgh, Pa. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR John R. Groundwater SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ADVISOR Edmund Welch LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR Richard Patch REGULATORY AFFAIRS CONSULTANT Peter Lauridsen DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Leslie Kagarise DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS AND RISK MANAGEMENT Eric Christensen PVA SENIOR REGULATORY AND PROGRAMS ADVISOR Lee Boone GENERAL COUNSEL Steven Bers, Whiteford, Taylor and Preston EDITORIAL OFFICES Managing Editor: Sarah Ferretti sarah@passengervessel.com 571-388-7752 About the Cover The descendants of Carl Muller are toasting to 120 years and five generations on the St. Croix River. Story on page 36. / Photo: Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours Operations
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