48 FOGHORN T he effectiveness of PVA’s ad- vocacy is measured not only by bills passed or regulations changed, but also by the opportuni- ties PVA creates for passenger vessel operators to speak directly with pol- icymakers. A recent maritime safety roundtable hosted by the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee provides an excellent example of how sustained engagement can bring the industry’s priorities be- fore Congress. During PVA’s annual Congressional Fly-In in April of this year, association members met with subcommittee Chairman Mike Ezell and suggested that the subcommittee convene a discussion focused on the U.S. Coast Guard’s marine safety responsibilities. Chairman Ezell responded enthusi- astically and subsequently organized a roundtable that brought together PVA, representatives of several other U.S.-flag maritime associations, and the U.S. Coast Guard. PVA 2026 President Andrew Sargis represented the passenger vessel industry. The roundtable attracted strong con- gressional participation. Chairman Ezell, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen, Representative John Garamendi, and other members of the subcommittee that PVA mem- bers had met during our spring fly-in attended the hearing, offered support- ive statements, and asked thoughtful questions. The discussion addressed Coast Guard staffing and resources, the administration’s Maritime Ac- tion Plan, support for the Jones Act, the condition of the Coast Guard’s marine safety mission, and the op- erational challenges facing U.S.-flag maritime companies. Sargis brought extensive operational experience to the discussion. He ex- plained that the passenger vessel indus- try safely carries approximately 200 million passengers annually aboard a diverse fleet of U.S.-built, U.S.-crewed, and U.S.-flag vessels. These include public and private ferries, sightseeing and dinner cruise vessels, overnight excursion vessels, whale-watch opera- tions, and other passenger services. Sargis emphasized PVA’s longstand- ing and productive partnership with the Coast Guard. Passenger vessel operators work with the Coast Guard every day and share its commitment to safety, professionalism, and public trust. At the same time, he cautioned that the service’s domestic marine safety mission must not become a sec- ondary priority as the Coast Guard responds to expanding national security, border security, and global maritime responsibilities. The witnesses identified several shared priorities. These included support for the Jones Act as a foundation for strengthening and protecting Amer- ican maritime capabilities; reopening and adequately staffing Coast Guard small boat stations; maintaining safe waterways; protecting the marine envi- ronment; and ensuring that the Nation- al Maritime Center and National Vessel Documentation Center can continue performing their essential work during a lapse in federal government funding. For passenger vessel operators, the Coast Guard is not a distant regulator but rather a daily partner. Vessels can- not operate without timely inspections, and mariners cannot work without timely credentials. Operators also de- pend on properly maintained aids to navigation, effective search and rescue capabilities, and consistent enforce- ment of federal safety laws. Sargis urged Congress to fully resource the Coast Guard’s marine safety mission, preserve RICHARD PATCH // PVA LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR PVA Brings Marine Safety Priorities to Congress LEGISLATIVE REPORT An idea raised by PVA during the Congressional Fly-In became a congressional forum where the association’s president presented passenger vessel priorities directly to lawmakers and senior U.S. Coast Guard leadership.
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