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tection ruling on the question of Jones Act applications to A lot of the most burdensome aspects of the vessel gen- offshore renewable energy. And it said all the right things. eral permit were driven by things like inspection, record-

That’s very positive. keeping and reporting, things that really do not have a big impact on environmental protection, but often take up a

What’s the latest on VIDA, and what is AWO lot of time, paperwork and money. And so this is an oppor- hoping to see from the EPA and USCG in the tunity to take a much more practical approach, especially ? nalized regulations?

something that’s going to be a better ? t for unmanned

JC: Let’s stay on time and stay on track because the promise barge operations. We are keen to see implementation of of that legislation can only be fully and effectively realized the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act stay on track on time when the EPA and the Coast Guard have both implement- and really take a more practical approach while preserving ed their regulations and those are in full force and effect. high standards of environmental protection.

We want to see high achievable standards of environmen-

The rollout of Subchapter M is still very much tal protection, a nationally consistent framework; that was a work in progress. Please give a status what VIDA was all about, being a win-win for the environ- ment and for ef? cient movement of maritime commerce, update, and what are AWO’s priorities in terms of implementation and enforcement?

by saying, “Let’s have high standards and apply them uni- formly so I’m not wondering whether my investment is JC: Believe it or not, we’re more than halfway through going to be good in this state or that state, and I’m not the COI phase-in period. 50% of vessels were required to worried about whether my crew knows what they have to have their COIs by last July, 75% COIs required by July on this side or that side of an imaginary line in the water.” of 2021, and by July of 2022—less than a year and a half www.marinelink.com MN 13|