20 MARCH 2019 • FOGHORN NATIONAL SAFETY AWARDS PVA Recognizes Heroism and Strong Safety Culture Captain Elizabeth Gedney Passenger Vessel Safety Award Winner: Captain Michael Miller, Fire Island Ferries, Inc., Bay Shore, NY It was a busy 4th of July and scores of people eager to celebrate Independence Day headed to the popular Fire Island National Seashore for the holiday. One family with two young children booked tickets with Fire Island Ferries, Inc., in Bay Shore, NY. Tickets bought, they proceeded to the boarding area when their day took an unexpected turn. All American Marine Bay Ship & Yacht Company Catalina Express Crowley Cummins Driveline Services of Portland Interstate Power Systems Hamilton Jet In Memory of Tom Katica (sponsored by Catalina Express) John Deere Karl Senner MCM Assured Partners Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Pierce Aluminum Pinnacle Marine Corporation Rozema Boat Works Scania Volvo Penta The Passenger Vessel Foundation would like to express their gratitude to the following sponsors and players at the Katica Klassic Golf Tournament at the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends. And a record number of golfers! A special thank you toTournament Chair, Cherie McAdams, ZF Marine E very year, PVA members are involved in real-life man-overboard and other life- saving situations. It is these types of events that are recognized by PVA and the Passenger Vessel Foundation because we understand the safety training that PVA vessel operators undertake can make the difference between life and death, and they do it efficiently and effectively. On a wider scale, some PVA members are striving towards making the passenger vessel industry safer for all through leadership, training, research, experience, action, and skill. These unique individuals are recognized by PVA and the Passenger Vessel Foundation for their vision and leadership example that leads to a safer working envi- ronment for passengers and crew. The following two awards are given annually during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends: With an attending deckhand assisting all passengers, including the young family, the little girl stepped aboard the vessel, followed by her 4-year-old brother, with their mother directly behind, shepherding her children onto the ferry. As the small boy stepped up onto the loading step, he swiftly fell between a six-inch gap between the loading step and the gangway into the water. Luckily, Captain Michael Miller, a professional mariner with 30 years at Fire Island Ferries and a licensed Master for 27 years, was working on the ferry that holiday. Without hesitation, Captain Miller, jumped into the water, and within seconds, he grabbed the boy and handed him to the ferry’s crewmem- bers on the dock. The boy’s mother immediately took hold of her child and the boy was attended to dockside. Remarkably, the child was untouched