Page 25: of Marine News Magazine (January 2026)

24 26

“One enduring, yet important, priority in 2026 will be to continue our work to eliminate unnecessary federal regulatory burdens on PVA members. In early 2025, PVA quickly responded to a direct request from the new Trump Administration to identify burdensome regulations that should be eliminated. PVA submitted a list of ten regulations which contained everything from eliminating TWIC and TWIC readers for passenger vessel operators to extending the ? ve-year drydock interval regulation to changing the required interval to service In? atable Buoyant Apparatus to once every two years or more.” deck, 89-passenger riverboat to showcase the city’s three ties going into 2026. These issues include regulatory relief, rivers. Today, the company has grown to become one of legislative oversight and funding programs, critical drug the largest inland riverboat ? eets in the country with ? ve testing program changes, mariner licensing improvements, vessels including the Empress, Princess, Duchess, Three cyber security training, and expansion of illegal charters

Rivers Queen and Countess. The family business is cel- enforcement to name just a few.

ebrating more than 65 years on the Pittsburgh waterfront.

What about ‘burdensome’ regulations?

Heading into 2026, what are PVA’s Priorities for One enduring, yet important, priority in 2026 will be its membership? to continue our work to eliminate unnecessary federal

The U.S. passenger vessel industry is well positioned as regulatory burdens on PVA members. In early 2025, PVA it enters 2026. A solid 2025 business climate allowed U.S. quickly responded to a direct request from the new Trump passenger vessel operators to ? nish seasonal operations in Administration to identify burdensome regulations that stronger than expected ? nancial positions; promoting opti- should be eliminated. PVA submitted a list of ten regula- mism for overall business operations in the coming year. As tions which contained everything from eliminating TWIC a result of this positive situation many operators were in a and TWIC readers for passenger vessel operators to ex- position to make needed capital improvements in vessels and tending the ? ve-year drydock interval regulation to chang- facilities. The dinner boat and excursion vessel markets have ing the required interval to service In? atable Buoyant Ap- experienced steady growth since COVID and are expected paratus to once every two years or more. to continue on a conservative, positive trajectory. The ferry industry in most urban markets has rebounded and is con- New Cybersecurity rules for all of maritime loom structing new vessels to meet expected demand. In addition, large in 2026. How do they, and the requirements there appears to be a signi? cant amount of refurbishing of to train and document, impact PVA member?

passenger vessels occurring nationwide. Nonetheless, there In December, PVA released a new Cybersecurity Train- will be challenges relating to increasing operating costs, and ing Program to assist PVA members meet the Coast Guard’s absorbing certain cost increases related to continuing tariffs, regulatory cybersecurity training requirement by January yet the industry generally expects ridership and group travel 12, 2026. This 11th hour Coast Guard deadline was of numbers to increase in most markets. concern to many PVA members who were struggling to

There are several issues topping the list of PVA priori- come up with their own cybersecurity training in time to www.marinelink.com MN 25|