b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTAT THE HELM Human ResourcesBOB BIJUR // PRESIDENTI n last months FOGHORN, we focused on technology, and in ancontinue to stay focused on how our association and committees can earlier edition we examined marine propulsion. Both are worthybest provide member support in optimizing their workplace human topics, but I believe that what powers us is not always propulsionresource challenges.andtechnology.Engines,gas,diesel,LNG,electric,andhydrogen along with high-tech systems that can automate and streamline oper- PVA Region Meetings are well underway with the PVA Western Re-ations are great enhancements. But they cannot replace the real powergion Meeting being held in San Diego this month. The PVA Rivers behind the wheel which is our people. Human power is the most di- Region and Original Colonies Region Meetings are scheduled in early verse and important asset in our toolbox and allows us to meet everyNovember. PVA will also hold a fall PVA Board of Directors meeting challenge. It is our people who propel us to success. and a PVA/U.S. Coast Guard Quality Partnership meeting, with Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin, in New London, Conn., immediately follow-This reality became particularly clear during the pandemic. Whileing the PVA Original Colonies Region Meeting. our hardware sat idle, our human assets overcame new obstacles and we found that with less, we did more. Machines have finite tolerances.PVA has successfully advocated for an extension until Oct. 31 for com-When they are pushed past their limits they often break. On the otherments on a proposed rule by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric hand, when a well-motivated employee team is given a seemingly insur- Administration (NOAA) that significantly expand the scope of the mountable task, stand back and pay attention as our peoples intellect,current 10-knot speed restriction on vessels operating in areas inhab-talent, and physical endurance step up and overcome the challenge.ited by right whales. PVAs Legislative Director Ed Welch has been working on this issue with PVA members. PVA opposes this rule in its We at PVA have great examples of those member companies that, timecurrent form as it would negatively affect a large number of operators after time, resolve, endure, and advance with great teams of people. Wein the passenger vessel fleet. If you have any questions about sending in have had extreme frustration in recruiting and retaining good people.comments, please contact Ed Welch at ewelch@passengervessel.com.It was not long ago that the biggest issue was the aging workforce and coping with an older generation that was moving into retirement.PVA has obtained approval for the 5th revision of the PVA Alterna-tiveSecurityPlan(ASP).AllPVAmembersthatrequiresecurity I am fortunate to have lead roundtable discussions about attractingplans should have received the new plan. Implementation of the 5th and keeping employees during several PVA Region Meetings and therevision of the PVA ASP is due to the U.S. Coast Guard by Nov. 8, PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends. Lively discussions ensued2022. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Christensen atand a variety of helpful suggestions emerged.echristensen@passengervessel.com. Currently, while our operating environment slowly creeps back to nor- Booth sales for the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2023 mal, the workforce has changed in many ways and, depending uponopened this month. PVA associate members have responded positively where in the country you are and your specific hiring needs, it can be ato this, and a sizable number of booths have already been reserved. Go daunting task. Part-time workers are less available and highly-competi- to the PVA website, passengervessel.com, if you would like to purchase tive wages add to trouble in hiring new workers, as well as retaining oura MariTrends 2023 exhibit booth. core people. Some employees will not settle for the same old daily grind and now factor quality of life and family over money and job security.PlanningfortheprogramforthePVAAnnualConventionatWorkers have reinvented themselves and we need to adapt to this trend.MariTrends 2023 is underway. If you would like to make a presen-tation during the convention, please contact John Groundwater atWhat more can we do? Honor the loyal core of employees and encour- jgroundwater@passengervessel.com.age them to recruit. At Island Queen Cruises and Biscayne Lady Cruis-es, we have adopted a $1000 referral bonus for those employees whoI hope to see you at PVA Region Meetings this fall. Please contact me at make it past probationary status. We also offer internships and men- captbob@islandqueencruises.com if I can help bring attention to local toring programs for those who are interested in learning new skills. Inor regional issues that you might need assistance with.return, this promotes loyalty while giving us an opportunity to guide training to specific operational applications. While hiring employees has not been easy, I am encouraged by a slow, but steady, stream of newAt Your Service, employees entering the workforce. I am hopeful that this will continue. As members of PVA. I believe that we have a good advantage in learning from other operators about how they are meeting their hir- Bob Bijuring difficulties. This is a very important topic and I recommend wePVA President, 2022FOGHORN 4'