b"FOGHORN FOCUS A Bold and Collaborative Vision forthe FutureTHE CONTINUING PARTNERSHIP OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD AND PVA At this years PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2023 in Long Beach, Calif., the opening keynote address was given by Deputy Commandant for Operations Vice Admiral Peter Gautier. He discussed a number of topics from illegal charters to the U.S. Coast Guards efforts to combat sexual harassment and assault in the maritime industry to the Quality Partnership between the Coast Guard and the Passenger Vessel Association. We reached out to the vice admiral on a few of these topics to learn a bit more. Q:The relationship between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Passengerindustry, as well as steps the industry can take to help further the Coast Vessel Association has continued to gain strength through the QualityGuard's emphasis on this front? Partnership. The recent revisions to the dry dock interval requirements is one example of how this partnership has greatly benefited the passen- A:Vessel owners and operators have a responsibility to provide a work-ger vessel industry as the Coast Guard and PVA work closely together.place free from fear of sexual assault and harassment. The Coast Guard Can you speak to this partnership from the Coast Guards perspectiveinitiatedacampaigntoincreaseoutreachwithothergovernment and how you see it growing in the years ahead?agencies and industry stakeholders, including shipowners, seafarers, unions, mariner outreach and advocacy organizations, and individual A:As we look to the future of the PVA Coast Guard Quality Partner- mariners, to advance this goal. We want to work with the industry on ship, our goal is to maintain an open dialogue that will enable us to staythese efforts and achieve this vision which includes removing barriers ahead of emerging issues and identify solutions to enhance safety in theto reporting, engaging the maritime industry at all levels, evaluating passenger vessel industry. Our partnership with PVA continues to fa- policy and regulatory changes, requesting input from Federal Adviso-cilitate improvements in both regulations and policies to ensure safety.ry Committees, and addressing the issue globally during International We intend to further advance the partnership to gain additional insightMaritime Organization (IMO) meetings. and industry perspectives to inform the Coast Guard and maintain a constructive relationship with the passenger vessel industry. On March 2, 2023, the Coast Guard published Marine Safety Infor-mation Bulletin (MSIB) 1-23 to clarify new reporting requirements Q:The Coast Guard has made great efforts to address sexual harass- and procedures that were established in conjunction with the 2023 ment and assault in the maritime industry. Can you outline some ofNational Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for all types of sexual the recent changes and how they affect the domestic passenger vesselmisconduct occurring on U.S. flagged vessels. Foremost among those PHOTO: SARAH FERRETTIOpposite: Vice Admiral Peter Gautier of the U.S. Coast Guard gave the opening key note address at PVA's Annual Convention at MariTrends 2023. FOGHORN 18"