b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTAT THE HELM The Environment, PVA Green WATERS Program, and Other IssuesJIM SWINDLER // PRESIDENTE arth Day 2023 was observed on Saturday, April 22. I bring thiscifically to the passenger vessel industry, this living document allows up because this national celebration coincides with this monthsoperators to quickly understand how environmentally-friendly practic-FOGHORN, which is themed around environmental issues. Ites can be easily and cost-effectively adopted. The PVA Green WATERS is also meaningful because the PVA Green WATERS Program wasProgram includes an easy-to-use checklist for members to assess the launched on Earth Day in 2008. level of their environmental stewardship. Using this checklist, members can get numerous green ideas to improve or evaluate the following:The PVA Green WATERS Program was the idea of then PVA Presi-dent Mike Borgstrom, Wendella Sightseeing Boats, Chicago, Ill. Mike Office Operations felt strongly that his customers, and those of other passenger vessel Power Sources operators, were beginning to make buying decisions based on their Fuel Type and Consumption perceptions of a companys practices concerning environmental mat-Galley Processesters. In other words, they expected the companies with which they did Engine Maintenance and Emissions business to operate in an environmentally responsible manner. Vessel Design and ConstructionPaperless Marketing Materials and Collateral A recent FOGHORN article stated, According to research conducted Reservations and Ticketing recently by Longwoods, a national travel research firm, a significant Water Consumption percentage of consumers will expect superior customer service in their Environmental Trainingfuture travels, despite the continuing pandemic and ongoing employee shortages. The passenger vessel industry has consistently demonstrat- Joining the program is easy and free to PVA members. Go to passen-ed a commitment to achieving superior customer service despite thesegervessel.com and click on Green WATERS Program at the bottom challenges and a resiliency in adapting to changing market conditions.of the web page. If you have any questions, please contact PVAs John One of the service expectations that passenger vessel operators say hasGroundwater at jgroundwater@passengervessel.com.been growing among passengers is the expectation that the vessels on which they are riding will be operated in an environmentally responsi- PROPOSED RIGHT WHALE SPEED LIMITSble or green manner. Environmentally-related issues continue to be front and center for pas-senger vessel operators in other areas as well. Late last year, PVA submit-Besides being the right thing to do, Mike Borgstrom thought it madeted lengthy comments to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric sense for PVA to develop a program that would allow PVA membersAdministration about a proposed rule change that would potentially im-to easily adopt socially responsiblepact PVA vessel members operating green practices in their businesses.along the East Coast from Maine Recognizing that many PVA mem- to Florida and that would impose ber companies were probably doingThe PVA Green WATERSa10-knotspeedlimittoprotect anumberofthesethingsalready,endangered right whales. The pro-theprogramwasdevelopedwithProgram encourages practicalposed rule will apply to any pas-simplicity and practicality in mind. senger vessel of 35 feet or more in tactics that every PVA memberlength operating in affected waters. ThePVAGreenWATERSPro- Click here to read PVAs comments.gram encourages practical tacticscan easily implement to reduce that every PVA member can easilyemissions, lower water usage,POTENTIALimplementtoreduceemissions,EPA CARB WAIVERlower water usage, cut energy, usecut energy, and more.InalettertotheEnvironmental fewerpaperproducts,andmore.Protection Agency (EPA), PVA for-The program is completely volun- mally requested that the EPA hold a tary and is intended to assist pas- virtual public hearing as it consid-senger vessel operators to run cleaner, greener business operationsers a waiver submitted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) without causing financial or operational strain. concerning its most recent version of the Commercial Harbor Craft Emissions Rule. The virtual public hearing will take place on June 1.A Best Green Business Practices manual is available to PVA members to assist in navigating the often complex world of green environmen- The CARB waiver request, published in the Federal Register on Friday, talism. Using case studies and concrete examples that are tailored spe- March 17, seeks EPA authorization of its Commercial Harbor Craft Continued on page 37FOGHORN 4'