b'needtowearamask?Doesanengineerawrittenmask-wearingpolicy?PVAsees18.We hope that our Coast Guard speakers operating alone below decks need to wear anothingintheCDCOrderorMSIBthatwill be prepared to respond for the questions mask?We understand and agree once theresorequires.WillCoastGuardinspectorsthatarecertaintobepresentedtothem.isinteractionwithanothercrewmembers,undertakerandommask-wearingchecks(as masks need to be worn as per the CDC Order. theyoccasionallyperformsafetyequipmentThe Passenger Vessel Association takes note of checks)whileavesselisunderway?Willthe intent of the Presidents Executive Order, Should there not be fl if a vesseltheCoastGuardtakeintoconsiderationCDC Order, and the Coast Guard MSIB.Theexibility ischarteredtoaprivategroupwhentheavesseloperatorsgoodfaitheff orttodomestic passenger vessel industry has suff ered individualscharteringthevesselknoweachdirect,persuade,andconvincepassengersgreatly during this pandemic, but our highest otherorhavequarantinedinadvanceoftowearmasks,especiallywhencertainpriorityremainsthesafeoperationofour thecharter(e.g.,families,weddings,etc.)? individualsresistordefysucheff orts? vessels.We hope that subsequent guidance on the wearing of masks onboard domestic As for weddings, must the bride, groom,We anticipate that this topic will be of highpassengervesselswilladdressthequestions officiant,andformalweddingpartyinterest to the participants at the upcomingand concerns noted above.Thank you for the wearmasksduringtheceremony?ThisPVAVirtualConventiononFebruary16- opportunity to comment and seek clarifi cation. questioncallstomindaneff ortadecade agointheMarylandlegislaturetoenacta PFD-wearingmandateforallpersonsona commercial passenger vessel.The lawmakers withdrewthelegislationwhenpresented with a photograph of a bride and groom in formalweddingclothesoverlaidbyaPFD.If everyone on board is required to wear a mask, is social distancing still required?Can capacities of the vessel be increased to the levels indicatedontheCertifi cateofInspection?While this may involve policy changes at a local or state jurisdictional level, it would be helpful to have Coast Guard guidance on the subject.HowwilltheCoastGuardhandle complaints about non-compliant passengers?PVAmembershavealreadyencountered numerous instances of passengers refusing to comply with mask mandates.When a vessel is underway and a passenger removes a mask, then refuses to put it back on when directed or requested to do so, what can be done?Crews have been verbally abused and threatened and in the past.How does the Coast Guard expect the vessel operator to react in such a situation?The CDC Order allows for noncompliance in the situation in which there needs to be communicationwithahearing-impaired personanditisnecessaryforeff ective communicationsforthemouth/facetobe visible.Whataboutasimilarsituationin which there is attempted communication with a person who does not speak or understand English,especiallywhilecommunicating basic vessel safety or emergency information?Does the CDC Order and MSIB apply to an uninspected six-pack vessel?HowwillCoastGuardenforcementbe undertaken?Mustavesseloperatorhave FEB 2021 37 COVID NEWS'