b'were on anyones radar) on the essential topics thatvesseloperatorsneededthenandthe MariTrends 2016 exhibition was terrifi c thanks totheAssociatememberswhoattended.In retrospect, it was that natural disaster that showed how easily PVA and passenger vessel operators are able to adapt to rapidly changing events that are out of our control. In a way, that event was test run of sorts for all of us to fi gure out how to pivot and move forward during the current global pandemic. We were resilient then and even more so now. AsforwhoinPVAhasmadethebiggest diff erence,handsdownitwasCaptainBeth Gedney.Bethwasanindustrysniperwho neversettledforanyissuewithoutfi itghting and winning.I became a member of the PVACongressman Chuck Schumer, D-NY, meets with a delegation of PVA members SafetyAndLossControlCommitteein1996in Washington, DC. Source. D. Andersonunder the direction of Rick Brown.After Rick left PVA, Beth became the new director of the committee. During her tenure, as a result of 911, the committee names was changed to PVA Safety and Security Committee.I learned so much from Beth while working with her.I must mention since Beths passing and Eric Christensen taking over her role, Eric has made a tremendous impact on the Association. It is also very satisfying that I have been aff orded the opportunity to participate at the U.S. Coast GuardsMarineInspectionClass(MIC)in Yorktown,VA.ItisatMICthathasgiven me a chance to address new, incoming marine inspectorsabouthowimportantitistogive them my perspective as an operator viewing an inspector as opposed to an inspectors role as an inspectorexamininganowner/operatorsfl eet.It is a program thats been very successful and having PVAs Pete Lauridsen lead the charge at Yorktown for us is of particular importance and I thank Pete for that. I have actively played a role in MIC for over 15 years now and I am looking forward to continuing my role and participation in Yorktown as soon as post COVID pandemic restrictions ease and PVA is welcomed back.AsIconsiderotherissuesandchallengesthat PVA and the passenger vessel industry has faced sincemypresidencyended,Irecallthatthe immediate years were relatively quiet. That hasnt lasted, however. The biggest challenge to dateby faris the current pandemic of COVID 19. We continue to manage and mitigate risks during this pandemic in ways no one ever dreamed we would have to.Namely, conference calls, Zoom meetings,PVAsVirtualConvention,andzero face-to-face connections.In my opinion, the most impactful activities that PVA off ers to PVA members is the knowledge and expertise that is available to all PVA members. On the other end of a phone, PVA staffare always APRIL 2021 21 PVA AT 50'