b'Members of PVAs Safety and Security, Regulatory, Membership, Mar-keting, and Legislative committees were the first to arrive. Wednesdays committee meetings are the traditional start to the annual convention. FOGHORN FOCUS The committees comprise vessel and associate volunteer members who collaborate to identify, discuss, and, when needed, seek solutions for top issues and concerns in the passenger vessel industry. Topics in the Legislative Committee meeting included air emissions regulations in California and throughout the country, the U.S. National Blueprint, and MARADs Small Shipyard Grants. Some committees will join forces for part of the day, as did the Safety and Security and Regulatory committees on Thursday afternoon. Presentations to the joint session covered the growing trend of illegal charters, oral fluid testing for mar-ijuana, and the U.S. Coast Guards efforts to combat sexual assault and harassment in the maritime industry. The evenings leadership dinner was hosted aboard a City Experiences by Hornblower vessel in nearby Rainbow Harbor where cocktails and dinner kicked-off the first night of the convention. Glasses were raised to toast PVAs Legislative Director Ed Welch who will be stepping down this year. Colleen Stephens, Patrick Murphy, Bob Bijur, and Jim Swindler shared memories of working with Ed and stories of the count-less ways hes helped PVA and its members over the years. The Safety and Security Committee also recognized four of its members, awarding them with the committees new tokens.FOGHORN 10'