b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTAT THE HELM TechnologyMaximizing Benefit BOB BIJUR // PRESIDENTItions of products and systems. I have yet to find another PVA member am a baby boomer and think that during my lifetime I have seen the greatest advances in technology, perhaps more than any othernot willing help, guide, or counsel another when asked. The ability to time in history. One example is the amazing development of medialearn from anothers experience is truly a benefit. and the ability to transmit information instantly. Technology is evolv-ing so quickly that we have a hard time keeping up with changes, newThe PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2023, scheduled Febru-systems, and products. In fact, it seems that these new innovations be- ary 2-5, in Long Beach, Calif., will present numerous opportunities come obsolete the moment they are installed.to learn and contribute. By now you should have received a call for presentations for this important PVA convention. I encourage you to Through our businesses we all play a part in helping to improve tech- participate by submitting a seminar topic to present there. nology. The paths to the development of new technology, machines, and solutions are not always based on scientific knowledge or new soft- PVA committees continue their important work on our behalf. The ware, but rather on practical knowledge and application. For example,Digital Marketing Committee is working on the Ahoy New Adven-I remember the excitement of modifying a simple hand tool to fit intotures marketing program and Katie Hill has successfully enrolled all an area I thought to be impossible to reach. For me, I thought that wasvessel members on this platform. PVA members will discuss this new ahugetechnologicalbreakthroughmarketing program at each of our up-because it made my job easier. We allcoming PVA Region Meetings. help improve both simple and com- We all help improve bothplex inventions, either directly or in- PVA volunteers and staff are working on directly, through our work.simple and complexcomments on several federal regulatory proposed rules that directly affect mem-As members of the Passenger Vesselinventions, either directly or beroperations.Moreinformationon Association(PVA),wehaveagreatthese regulatory proposals are discussed advantageinunderstandingandindirectly, through our work.byPeterLauridsenandEricChris-applyingnewtechnologiestoourtensen in their columns in this edition.businesses because we have a variety of opportunities to interact with our peers and share knowledge. InThanks to PVA FOGHORN Managing Editor Sarah Ferretti for the addition to vessel members, PVAs membership comprises experiencedgreat content and appearance of FOGHORN and to all of the contrib-associate partnersvendors, manufacturers, and supplierswho areutors who write the outstanding and informative articles each month. I involved in innovative design and installation of countless new tech- encourage you to contact Sarah at sarah@passengervessel.com with ar-nologies. Over the years, they have made significant contributions toticle suggestions and/or photographs. FOGHORN offers an excellent the improvement of vessel operations in terms of safety, performance,way to share your experiences and knowledge with other PVA members. economy, passenger comfort, entertainment, and sales and marketing.In southern Florida, we are experiencing a new marketing technology PVA membersboth vessel operators and associatescontribute theirvia seaworthy high-tech billboards. It is fascinating how these digital time, energy, and knowledge to study new technologies, products, andsign boards function. Ballyhoo Media is a one our newest associate practices to ensure that they are well-suited to our operational needs.members who operates these specialty craft. I am looking forward to PVA committee members work on projects with a host of highly-qual- them sharing some of the technical details on their operation in an up-ified professionals such as marine architects and engineers, statisticianscoming issue of FOGHORN.and mathematicians, class societies, surveyors, testing centers, and lab-oratories. Sometimes we find that sticking to the basics is prudent. Oth- Two of PVAs Region Meetingsthe PVA Southeast Region Meet-er times we support technological change while embracing experienceing and the PVA Great Lakes Region Meetingwere held this month from the past. Examples include navigating by GPS, while dead reck- and we are excited to get back together and compare notes on regional oning on a paper chart, performing ultra-sounding on hull plate whileissues and national issues. I encourage you to attend one or more of running math formulas to access volume loss, and having mechanicalPVAs Region Meetings this fall. I hope to see you soon. overrides on fly-by wire propulsion control systems. There is comfort in having redundant systems such as I have just described. How manyAt Your Service, new cell phones have we had, questioning whether we should have kept the old one? How many programs and operating systems that control ticketing, scheduling, accounting have we used, tried, or tested in the last fifteen years? The wonderful thing is that we have our fellow PVABob Bijurmembers to share their experiences with new applications and installa- PVA President, 2022FOGHORN 4'