70
FOGHORN
of the PVSA, even though the port is 
located within the United States.
PVA feels strongly that this unprece-
dented legislative change would place 
U.S.-flag passenger vessel operators 
serving Alaska and the Pacific North-
west at a competitive disadvantage. 
It would also establish a precedent 
for treating a domestic port as for-
eign under the PVSA which could 
open the door to broader national 
applications. Further, this proposed 
legislation would ultimately weaken a 
time-tested maritime law supporting 
U.S. vessel operators, American mar-
itime employment, and the domestic 
maritime industry.
PVA continues to be a strong support-
er of the Jones Act and the Passenger 
Vessel Services Act.
THE HOUSE, EPA, AND  
THE CALIFORNIA  
HARBOR CRAFT RULES
PVA has joined a coalition of industry 
organizations to urge the U.S. House 
and Senate to overturn the Environ-
mental Protection Agency’s (EPA) au-
thorization of California’s 2022 Com-
mercial Harbor Craft amendments. 
On Sept. 16, the House approved a 
joint resolution reversing EPA’s waiver 
authorizing California’s commercial 
harbor craft emissions rules. Along 
with California members, PVA has 
opposed the California rules which 
require passenger vessel operators to 
upgrade engine to meet exceedingly 
strict emissions standards, under a 
very difficult timeline. Because of this 
PVA has consistently raised concerns 
about the cost, feasibility, and time-
line of the California emissions rules. 
The joint resolution is now pending 
in the Senate; and if passed, would 
need to be signed by the president to 
become law.
MARITRENDS 2027 EXHIBIT 
BOOTHS NOW ON SALE
Exhibiting at this exclusive annual 
event, scheduled Jan. 21–24 at the 
Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, 
Fla., offers PVA associate members a 
highly-focused opportunity to inter-
act directly with U.S. passenger-vessel 
AT THE HELM
Continued from page 7: Letter from the Executive Director
PVA BOARD RESOLUTION 
COALITION LETTER

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