Page 12: of Marine News Magazine (January 2017)

11 13

INSIGHTS

President,

Margo S. Marks

Beaver Island Boat Company argo Marks is President/General Manager of Bea- – would not be overstating the case. Listen this month as ver Island Boat Company, Beaver Island, MI. she weighs in on the important issues and challenges facing

MThe company has provided passenger, vehicle and North America’s passenger vessel and ferry industries.

freight services, between Beaver Island and Charlevoix, MI

As President of PVA, where can you do the most good since 1984. The ? rst ferry service to the island began in for the organization and its members?

1890. B.I. Boat Company operates two subchapter K ves-

As PVA President, I am responsible for setting the strate- sels with a capacity of up to 294 passengers and 16 vehicles on the larger vessel, and 172 passengers and 9 vehicles on gic direction for our association. Working with my fellow the smaller vessel. Notably, Margo has deep roots in the Of? cers, Board of Directors and PVA staff we identify both

Gresat Lakes community and graduated from the Great long and short-term work priorities and issues that are im-

Lakes Maritime Academy in 1983, She holds a First Class portant to our diverse membership. As the voice of the U.S.

Pilot (Great Lakes) and Mates Great Lakes/Inland Water passenger vessel industry, advancing the economic health of our industry, while promoting safety and a secure maritime license of any gross tons and a 100 ton Masters license. Be- yond this, she also graduated from Ferris State University operating environment nationwide are key elements to our where she earned her BA in Business Administration in mission. I’ve drawn upon my years of experience in the pas- 1984. Margo has been with Beaver Island Boat Company senger vessel industry to assist in achieving our goals. PVA since 2001 and currently serves as PVA’s President, having speaks directly with lawmakers and regulators to advocate previously served for 6 years on the board of directors. She for the industry. One of my major initiatives this year was to expand our partnership work with the Coast Guard. We’ve is the former Chairman of the PVA Regulatory Commit- tee and participates in the Quality Partnership meetings done this by increasing our participation in Coast Guard with the U.S. Coast Guard. A strong industry leader and Industry Day events across the country, and initiating new a recognized stakeholder in many aspects of advocacy and working groups to develop voluntary guidelines to reduce slips, trips and falls, clarifying and updating Coast Guard outreach, she also serves on the U.S. Coast Guard’s West- ern Michigan Area Maritime Security Committee, the policy and guidance on engine control system automation and identifying ways to increase Coast Guard enforcement safety committee for the Inland Seas Education Associa- of illegal charter operations nationwide. This important tion, and is a member of the Great Lakes Captains Associa- tion and the International Shipmasters Association Lodge work enhances our relationship with Coast Guard leader- 23. To say that she has her ? nger on what is important to ship and promotes greater understanding, which helps im- ferry operators on the Great Lakes – and everywhere else prove member interactions with the Coast Guard.

January 2017 12

MN

MN Jan17 Layout 1-17.indd 12 MN Jan17 Layout 1-17.indd 12 1/5/2017 4:21:36 PM1/5/2017 4:21:36 PM