b'as much as the people.Member vessel operators and associates thatcharters, labor shortages, environmental concerns and EPA dischargeAlso, in my experience, Ive met many passengerWhen I was elected to serve as president, I was just stepped up to help others out, in person, by phone or at the annualregulations, and the COVID-19 pandemics stay at home amid fearsvessel operations and long-term employers whothe third woman to hold that office (Holly Agra and convention or region meetings.Then, theres the PVA staffwho wereof contagion that has negatively impacted passenger vessel operators allcare. Here at MIFL, we have captains that haveK.C. Stanley-Lynn preceded me). Since, then I have PVA AT 50there to guide the Board of Directors and Officers through their tenure. over the country. PVA has been actively engaged in all of these issues.beenwithusdecades!Ourferryoperationbeen followed by Terri Bernstein, Carolyn Horgan, And, I cant forget those dedicated members who shared their expertiseMost recently, PVA has been keeping its membership in the loop withencourages deckhands looking for a career to stayMargo Marks, and now Colleen Stephens, who have by presenting at meetings, participatedCOVID relief programs that, for many of us,with us. Currently we have three women and oneall ably led this important organization. in committees, and volunteered to takehas kept us afl oat. The Paycheck Protectionman who recently took and passed their captains on complex projects. I want to encourageProgram (PPP), the Coronavirus Economictest and should be licensed within the year. ThatsDespite the challenges of the past couple of years, I Relief for Transportation Services (CERTS)great for them and us.Looking at our summerbelieve that the passenger vessel industry has a strong TheadvantageofPVAisthatanwomen and peopleAct,andRestaurantRevitalizationFund2021 roster, we have about an equal mix of malefuture. With Americans increased desire to travel and operatororassociatecantalktoaof all backgrounds toare some of the bills that PVA fought hardandfemalelicensedcaptainsanddeckhands.have memorable experiences, our industry is key. I skilled staffmember and get immediateforwithlawmakersandpolicymakerstoObtaining a captains license is an excellent careerlook forward to seeing where we go from here.followupfrominformedstaffjoin and move aheadensurethatthepassengervesselindustrychoiceforsomeonewhoenjoysworkingwith members who can, and do, help workin the industry.PVA,receivedthehelpweneededduringthisothers and lots of fresh air.through issues with the regional Coastincredibly challenging time.Guard office. Furthermore, staffhavetoo, continues to off erOn the business end, I advise you to ensure thatMolly Duggan (mate passed her 100 been known to clarify issues and theyPVAsabilitytoinformmembersofyou have sufficient start up capital. And, just liketon captain test this last winter)often have expertise an operator mayadvancement to womenupcomingissuesandkeepingontopin real estate, one of the most important things nothave.Forexample,bothPeterin the industry.offederalandstateregulationsisaveryto consider when setting up a passenger vessel LauridsenandEricChristensenareimpactful benefi t. In addition, I appreciateoperationislocation/location/location.Ifyou retiredCoastGuardcaptainswhothattheassociationprovidesregulardont have a guaranteed safe dock location, with haveextensiveregulatoryknowledge.opportunitiesforinteractionswithotheraccess to many customers, watch out or better And,EdWelchslegalbackground,members/associatesviathePVAAnnualyet, keep looking for a better location.particularly in legislative matters on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC,ConventionatMariTrendsandregionmeetings.Forme,these makes him the right person to talk through legislative questions andmeetings are important opportunities to connect with other womenFinally, I want to encourage women and people concerns. If you have legal issues, Steven Bers, PVAs General Counsel,in the industry. ofallbackgroundstojoinandmoveahead is available to discuss via the PVA Legal Hotline.intheindustry.PVA,too,continuestooff er ADVICE TO VESSEL OPERATORS advancement to women in the industry. LOOKING FORWARD My advice to anyone just entering this industry, my fi rst piece of advice Since Ive left office, there have a been a number of challenges that haveis, dont assume that you can do it alone. PVA staffand members can impacted our industry. The ones that stand out most clearly are illegalprovide Ive been there advice.About the Author: DeJong & Lebet, Inc.ExperienceNaval ArchitectsMarine EngineersWhen YouConsultantsSurveyorsNeed It. 71 Sea Island ExplorerROBIN TRINKO-RUSSELLMADELINE ISLAND FERRY LINEEachyear,thousandsofpreventablemaritime accidents are caused by operator inattention, citedRobinTrinko-RussellistheVice twice as frequently as the next leading factor.President of Finance at Madeline Island 140 Odyssey Chicago River FerryLine,apassenger-vehicleferry The Furuno BR500 Bridge Navigational Watch AlarmthatoperatesbetweenLaPointeand System (BNWAS) helps to prevent these accidents. Bayfi eld, WI on Lake Superior. A PVA Past President (2008), she continues to Scan this coderemain active in PVA by participating on with your smartcommittees, speaking at PVA meetings, phone for aandwritingFOGHORNarticles. Guided Tour of the BR500. www.dejongandlebet.com1734 Emerson Street, Jacksonville, FL 32207www.FurunoUSA.com (904) 399-3673 info@dejongandlebet.comPVA AT 50 26 FOGHORN JULY 2021 27 PVA AT 50'