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INSIGHTS is also working with experts from the Coast Guard’s Of? ce

PVA works with Coast Guard to analyze incident data.

What developments and positive steps have emanat- of Boating Safety and Of? ce of Waterways Management ed from that effort?

explore opportunities and ideas for strategic outreach and

Reinforcing PVA’s commitment to safety and continu- education to promote safe boating and communication on the water. PVA has spoken to the Boating Safety Advisory ous improvement, we’ve partnered with the Coast Guard

Committee, urging these industry experts to incorporate a to review the industry’s incident data. As a result of this analysis, we have identi? ed that slips, trips and falls account discussion of this issue into its Boating Safety Grant Pro- grams. As an organization, we are committed to safety and for the majority of the reportable incidents on board do- we stand ready to work with all waterway users to ensure a mestic passenger vessels. Our desire is that this partnership with the Coast Guard will help us develop non-regulatory safe boating environment for all.

guidelines that PVA members can use to reduce slips, trips and falls aboard their vessels, and as a result, enhance safe-

Security has to be an issue of enormous importance to the PVA and its membership. For example, you ty for both passengers and crew. In recent months, we’ve have worked to exempt vessels of less than 150 pas- also seen increased activity from Coast Guard enforcing sengers from security plan and TWIC requirements. the “interference with safe navigation of a vessel law” or

At the same time, what has been done to improve the more commonly known as “rail-jumper” or “wake jumper” security awareness footprint of this class of vessel?

amendment. This increased use of this statute came from

PVA member operators are extremely secure. This atten-

PVA’s urging at several quality partnership meetings. There tion to security actually predates 9/11 as maintaining the have been several ? nes issued on the basis of this law and security of vessels for both passengers and crew has always it has enhanced safety and the protection of our mariners.

been fundamental to safe vessel operations. Responding to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, PVA

Are there any other regulatory changes looming for developed, in conjunction with the Coast Guard, an Alter- the industry that give you and your collective mem- nate Security Program which offered members a far-reach- bership particular concern? If so, which ones and in ing security program that could be implemented easily and what ways do the new rules impact operations?

effectively. This program is now being used by many PVA PVA is awaiting the issuance of the TWIC Reader ? nal members and has saved them thousands of dollars in de- rule. We have gone on record opposing TWIC Readers for velopment costs. PVA continues to work to ensure that passenger vessel operators. We feel strongly that TWIC Read- security regulations are reasonable and effective, and are ers will not enhance security and would only add unnecessary based on Coast Guard risk assessments. To help maintain costs and administrative burdens on operators who are already a strong security posture, PVA also offers a variety of train- extremely secure. The ? nal rule is under review by the Depart- ing and informational tools for members that have been ment of Homeland Security (DHS) and then will move for- developed in conjunction with the Transportation Security ward for evaluation by the Of? ce of Management and Budget

Administration (TSA). (OMB). So the release of this rule is still some time off.

January 2016

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