b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTPASSENGER VESSEL ASSOCIATIONU.S. COAST GUARD QUALITY PARTNERSHIP:AT THE HELMThe Lesser-Known Member Bene t with a Great ImpactCOLLEEN STEPHENS // PRESIDENTT here are many member benefi ts of the Passenger Vessel Association Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR): that are essential to the success of vessel and associate members.IfSafety Management Systems for Domestic Passenger Vesselsasked, many of us may reference the Alternate Security Program,PVA reported on the steps that we have taken to review the Advance safety training resources, Flagship Safety Management System, legislativeNoticeofProposedRulemaking:SafetyManagementSystemsfor andregulatorymonitoringandoutreach,FOGHORNmagazine,DomesticPassengerVessels.Oureff ortstorespondandgenerate networkingandeducationsessionsduringregionmeetingsandtheindustry comments was appreciated by the USCG.annual convention, the MariTrends trade show, the new PVA marketing program, or consultation with knowledgeable staffand contractors at COVID-19 Safety Requirements as related to the PVA.Less often mentioned is the Quality Partnership between PVAMaritime Industryand the U.S. Coast Guard, a program that provides PVA a direct andMSIBNumber:02-21COVID-19SafetyRequirementsinthe open line of commination with the USCGMaritimeTransportationSystemisthe leadership. guidancetocommercialvesseloperators I realize it is the time ofrelativetotherequirementforpersons The PVA-USCG Quality Partnership (QP)towearmasks.PVAexpressedconcerns wasestablishedin1996.Twiceayear,year when operators havethatoperatorsarehavingwiththe theleadershipteamatPVAandUSCGlittle extra time, howeverimplementation of this policy and asked seniorstaff gatherasanon-regulatoryforclarifi cationonsituationsuniqueto bodytocooperativelyaddressissuesofit is essential that the USCGour members such as outdoor settings and passenger, personnel, and property safety, and environmental protection within thehears from all of us sodining.I think it is fair to say our concerns are heard, but at this time the MSIB will domestic passenger industry. please make it a priorityfollowthePresidentialExecutiveOrder Areasoffocusthroughtheyearshavebefore June 1 to submitand associated Centers for Disease Control includedworkgroupsonslips,tripsandand Prevention (CDC) guidance. Specifi c your comments. questions and concerns are encouraged to falls, guidance for testing requirements andbe sent to wearamask@uscg.mil. procedures for engine automation controls, lithium ion batteries use and applications,Theconversationsthattakeplaceatthe sharing the waterways and illegal charters.In addition, discussions atQP, while non-regulatory, provide a forum for identifying problems and the QP have encouraged and infl uenced areas such as the change in thedevelopment of possible solutions.By fostering open communications with dollar threshold for casualty reporting and a path for industry input asthe USCG, ideally, industry concerns and knowledge will be represented at Navigation & Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC) and Marine Safetyall stages of policy development.Information Bulletins (MSIB) are being developed.ADVANCE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULEMAKING (ANPR): SAFETY The most recent meeting of the PVA-USCG Quality Partnership tookMANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR DOMESTIC PASSENGER VESSELSplace virtually on May 4.The agenda for the meeting addressed manyIt is critical that PVA members respond the to the open comment period issues facing the small passenger vessel industry today, with the majorityon the Coast Guards Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) of the discussion focusing on: addressingSafetyManagementSystems(SMS)ondomesticpassenger vesselsthat closes on June 1.If you need assistance formulating yourThe Risk-Based Inspections Small Passenger Vessel Policy comments, PVA has developed a template and instructions.I realize it is PVAtooktheopportunitytoexpressourconcernswiththethe time of year when operators have little extra time, however it is essential communicationbetweenUSCGandtheindustryduringthethat the USCG hears from all of us so please make it a priority by June 1 to development of the policy, the roll-out of the policy, and the namingsubmit your comments.If you have questions on submitting comments of the categories. PVA also recognized the Commandant for hearingyou can contact PVAs Eric Christensen at echristensen@passengervessel.our concerns during the PVA Virtual Convention at MariTrendscom. 2021 in February.During the QP meeting, Rear Admiral Timme assured PVA that our concerns had been heard and that we can lookI would like to wish everyone a safe and healthy operating season!to see changes to naming of the tiers in the policy soon.Colleen Stephens,PresidentLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 4 FOGHORN'