57
JULY 2026
P
VA 2026 President Andrew 
Sargis represented the passenger 
vessel industry at a maritime 
safety roundtable convened by House 
Coast Guard and Maritime Trans-
portation Subcommittee Chairman 
Mike Ezell. Chairman Ezell organized 
the roundtable after PVA proposed 
the discussion during its annual Con-
gressional Fly-In. Sargis participated 
alongside representatives of other U.S.-
flag maritime industries to discuss 
the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine safety 
mission and the services on which do-
mestic vessel operators depend.
Sargis emphasized that PVA mem-
bers safely carry approximately 200 
million passengers annually aboard 
U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-
flag vessels. While reaffirming PVA’s 
longstanding partnership with the 
Coast Guard, he cautioned that its 
domestic marine safety mission must 
remain a priority. He urged Congress 
to fully resource that mission, ensure 
that the National Maritime Center 
can continue its critical work during 
federal funding lapses, and direct a 
comprehensive assessment of Aids to 
Navigation maintenance and place-
ment needs on the Western Rivers.
Sargis also called for stronger enforce-
ment against illegal passenger-for-hire 
operations, which evade inspection 
and other federal safety requirements 
while placing passengers at risk. He 
thanked the Subcommittee for initi-
ating a Government Accountability 
Office study of illegal passenger vessel 
operations and said PVA looks for-
ward to participating in the review. 
The roundtable demonstrates the im-
portance of PVA’s annual Congressio-
nal Fly-In and continued engagement 
with congressional leaders in creating 
opportunities for the passenger vessel 
industry to bring its priorities directly 
to policymakers.
NEWSWIRE
PVA Testifies on Marine Safety Priorities  
at Congressional Roundtable
NEWSWIRE
Find Your Solution at Imtra.com or Call 508-995-7000
THRUSTERS | LIGHTING | WIPERS | SEATING | DOORS, HATCHES, WINDOWS | MUCH MORE
Bringing you 
the best.
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
THRUSTERS YOU 
CAN RELY ON.
Discover the latest hydraulic and 
electric thrusters from global 
leader Sleipner. Engineered for 
maximum efficiency and built for 
reliable performance.
• AC, DC & Hydraulic Thrusters
• Now with Tunnels up to 29”
• Efficient Design for Maximum 
Water Flow
• Models to Fit a Wide Range  
of vessels
SCAN TO LEARN 
MORE ABOUT 
SLEIPNER

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.