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incentives for stateside marine manufacturing are needed.

Likewise, keeping up with the Jones Act also comes at a premium. There are elements of validity to the revise and repeal arguments, but such action will not enhance our in- dustry. The Jones Act must remain intact to keep the door open for the next generation of mariners. Our industry is already struggling in recruitment efforts and pulling the

Jones Act would be the straw.

POLICY MAKEOVER

There certainly is a place for regulation and a proper sys- tem with viable policy is required to sustain our industry.

Policymakers and stakeholders must work in partnership to ensure that productive policy is in place and antiquated or confl icting regulations are brought current. Regulators also need to be willing to rethink and explore alternatives as technology develops or if the policy causes considerable discord and avoidance. Never again should Sequestration restrict the ability for all stakeholders to sit at the regulato- ry partnership table. Trouble also develops when regulators are stuck ‘inside the box’ and fail to negotiate or see any gray shadows in the corners that can sometimes make all the difference in the world, while at the same time uphold- ing most of the policy’s original intent. Lastly, the EPA’s forced tier development has greatly hindered advances in promising LNG technology and it should be clear that regulation cannot hinder innovation. Working together we can keep our industry moving forward through sustainable regulation, ‘win-win.’

Integrating bolted tonnage openings into forward facing door frame bulkheads fulfi lls the need for tonnage reduction, but the weather-tight tonnage opening renders the water-tight door less waterproof.

BOATBUILDINGCOLUMN

Joe Hudspeth is Vice Presi- dent of Business Development at All American Marine,

Inc., a manufacturer of high speed passenger ferries, excur- sion vessels, and work boats, in Bellingham, WA. He currently serves as a regional co- chairman for the Passenger Vessel Association and partici- pates on several committees concerned with marine indus- try issues. Email: [email protected]

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