b'NEWSWIRE:PVA President Appeals to SBA for Relief for Dining Cruise OperatorsOn April 14, PVA President Colleen Stephens wrote to Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on behalf of PVA members. Dear Administrator Guzman:by local and state authorities (or by the U.S. Foodrequests from dining cruise operators. and Drug Administration, if the vessel operatesPVA staffis available to confer with you at ThePassengerVesselAssociation(PVA)in interstate commerce). In states that requireyour convenience about this segment of the wishestoalertyouthattheSmallBusinesslicensingforrestaurants,thatrequirementdining industry. Administration is likely to receive applicationsextends to dining cruise vessels. undertheRestaurantRevitalizationProgramSincerely, fromoperatorsofAmericanpassengervesselsWeencouragetheSBAtofavorablyconsiderColleen Stephens thatspecializeinprovidingdiningcruisesfor their customers. The Passenger Vessel Association is the national association representing owners and operatorsThe Trusted Source ofU.S.-fl aggedpassengervesselsofalltypes, including dining cruise vessels.for Advanced LED LightingPVAurgesSBAtolookwithfavoronthese applications, as such vessel operators meet the statutoryeligibilitycriteria.Section5003(a) ofPublicLaw117-7states(4)ELIGIBLE ENTITY.Thetermeligibleentity(A) means a restaurant, , or other similar place of business in which the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink.NAVIGATION LIGHTSU.S.passengervesseloperatorsthatoperate dining cruises derive the predominant portionUTILITY LIGHTING LED DECK LIGHTINGof their gross revenues from providing food and beverages to their patrons. Their customers are seated at tables and are served by wait staffmuch like a traditional restaurant. Asmanyland-basedrestaurantsdo,dining cruise vessels often host private events. These events have food and beverage service providedDOWN LIGHTINGbyawaitstaff whocirculatethroughoutthe passengerareasoff eringappetizersandotherSEARCHLIGHTSsmall plates from trays to customers. Beverage servicemaybeprovidedbywaitstaff orat centrally located walk-up bar areas. While the novelty of being on a vessel operating onascenicwaterwaymayassistinattracting patrons, this is no diff erent than the situationPhoto credits (L-R): All American Marine, Brix Marine,All American Marineofarooftoporwaterfrontrestaurantfrom which there are beautiful panoramic views. The actual dining experience aboard a dinner cruise is essentially the same as eating in a land-based restaurant.www.imtra.com 508.995.7000Like land-based restaurants, dining cruise vessels are subject to food safety and health inspections APRIL 2021 31 NEWSWIRE'