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SEPTEMBER 2026
Update, amazingly days after the publishing of NVIC 7-68 
CH1 we had a scheduled dry dock, although our vessel is 
aluminum, we were able for the first time to have a conversa-
tion about repair proposals the documented in the NVIC. 
I encourage anyone with aluminum vessels having pitted 
plate, corrosion or other repair proposals to contact Eric 
Christensen who will then put you in contact with the 
CG-ENG, 5P-TI (Traveling Inspection Staff). They are 
committed to developing guidance for aluminum and they 
need your experiences. Vessel operators are the credible 
subject matter experts, you as member have the ability to 
direct the narrative, to evoke change the benefits both you 
and other members. That is the definition of PVA. 
The Pitted Plate Assessment Tool was developed by a joint 
Coast Guard/PVA working group using the guidance of Ship 
Structure Committee report SSC-394: Strength Assessment 
of Pitted Plate Panels. The full SSC-394 report is available 
at onepetro.org.
Eric Christensen, PVA director of regulatory affairs 
and risk management – I’m not sure if he’s Batman, but 
when you call the Batphone with a problem, he answers. 
Travis Taylor, CG-5P-TI Staff – Travis was relentless in 
his support of this project and, more importantly, of the 
vessel operator. 
Captain Jonathan Claughton, PVA past president and 
president and CEO, Savannah Riverboat Company – 
Jonathan did the right thing when he appealed, when 
most of us would not have. Together with Eric, he helped 
blaze the trail that brought us here.
Andy Lebet, Ed Vaughn, and Jake Connally, Dejong & 
Lebet Naval Architects – They kept us on track while 
continually adding their expertise to the effort. One of 
Andy’s approaches was ultimately incorporated into the 
NVIC Reduced Scantlings. 
Ryan G. Bijur – My brother and the brainiac who  
engineered the formulas—all while insisting, “I don’t 
know about boats.” An interesting footnote: Ryan is  
an actuary, and Nathaniel Bowditch, author of  
“The American Practical Navigator (BOWDITCH),” 
was also America’s first insurance actuary.
Captain Megan McLaughlin, Yankee Freedom –  
Meg was instrumental in implementing and testing the 
tool during its earliest stages. 
Marc C. Cruder, CDR (Ret.), and Michael A. Venturella, 
former traveling senior marine inspector – Their early 
guidance documents inspired and helped give us a path 
forward with the project. 
Jim Swindler, PVA past president and formerly of 
Golden Gate Ferry; Tony Guild, MTS; and Jim Towers, 
Elliot Bay Design Group – Each contributed valuable 
knowledge and support to the effort. 
Merrick Ried, programmer extraordinaire – Merrick 
processed countless changes, revisions, and refinements 
to get us where we are today.  
Jai Brinkofski – The web designer who polished the tool 
and brought it home to PVA. 
John Groundwater, PVA executive director – A mentor 
and someone who is always ready to engage on behalf of 
PVA’s membership. 
The CG-ENG2 team, led by LCDR Carol Yin; the 
leadership of CG-5P; the many marine inspectors who 
supported the effort; and the Sector Miami prevention 
team – Their collective expertise, guidance, and support 
were invaluable throughout this process. 
This was truly a team effort, built through persistence, 
expertise, collaboration, and a shared commitment 
to finding a better path forward for passenger vessel 
operators. My sincerest thanks to all who played a role.
Bob Bijur, team member, PVA past president
Stop the Crop Team

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