Features Columns 8 The Value of Harbor Safety Committees Learn how peers from across the maritime community can collaborate for safer waterways. 16 The Bowtie Risk Assessment Tool and How it Relates to Passenger Vessels This tool not only helps identify potential threats but also mitigations for possible outcomes. 22 Maintenance: Necessary Evil or Winning Philosophy? A deep dive into why a team’s mindset regarding maintenance defines the success of an operation. 30 Safety Management: Moving Beyond “We’ve Always Done It This Way” An SMS brings a team together for a coordinated approach to keeping passengers, crew, and vessels safe. 36 Saving Lives and the Bottom Line A proper safety and risk mitigation plan doesn’t just keep an operation safe but can save on insurance premiums. 42 Safety Culture: Why Your Crew’s Habits Are Your Biggest Liability (or Your Greatest Asset) The team on board knows an operation’s vessels best and are the key to ensuring safety comes first. 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 48 Legislative Report 50 Safety Matters 53 Regulatory Report 56 Newswire 58 U.S. Coast Guard 60 Member News 70 Advertisers’ Index OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATION VOL. 25, NO. 7 AUGUST 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 By participating in a Harbor Safety Committee, PVA members not only help develop best practices for their local waterways but build and deepen relationships with those sharing the maritime environment. Story on page 8. / Photo: Mike McElroy Safety
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