b'LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENTAT THE HELM Working Togetherfor Strong Operations JIM SWINDLER // PRESIDENTA s summer ramps up, Im pleased to see so many410-347-8724.ExecutiveDirectorJohnGroundwater PVA member operations thriving as people returnisalwaysavailableandisanoverallcontactwhocan to the water. Many cruises, dinner boats, and over- helpmembersonmanyfronts.Hecanbereachedat night excursions are seeing business rebound and expertsjgroundwater@passengervessel.com.forecast continued growth in domestic travel. The increas-ing demand speaks to the many excellent experiences thatGET INVOLVEDPVA operators offer as riders look to travel, get outdoors,The strength of PVA reaches beyond the core staff and is and explore in this post-pandemic time.deeplyconnectedtotheextensiveinvolvementofvessel and associate members. Over the years, PVA members have HERE TO HELP madesignificantcontributionsoftimeandexpertiseto PVA staff are one of the best resources to help us addressthe development of programs and tools for member use. challenges in our day-to-day operations. Whether youreYour input has resulted in crew training programs, secu-facing an upcoming inspection or have questions aboutrity initiatives, risk management guidelines, legislative and government funding, the PVA staff is here to support youradvocacy programs, regulatory proposals, and much more. operation. Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Man- PVA committee members continue to undertake the im-agement Eric Christensen and Regulatory Affairs Consul- portant work that supports the industry at large, but they tant Peter Lauridsen are key contacts for questions aroundare seeking your help and involvement in this effort. such matters as U.S. Coast Guard inspections, the latest Al-ternative Security Program (ASP), or safety requirements.The Safety and Security Committee meets via conference They can be reached at echristensen@passengervessel.comcall on the third Thursday of each month and supports and peterlauridsen@msn.com, respectively.PVA members in continuously improving safety, security, and environmental stewardship. Contact Eric Christenesn From various Federal funding programs to representingat echristensen@passengervessel.com to learn more. PVAs membersinterestwithgovernmentregulations,PVARegulatory Committee represents and promotes the inter-works tirelessly to support the association on a legisla- ests of the passenger vessel industry before the Executive tive front. Legislative Director Ed Welch can aid mem- Branch and appropriate federal agencies. It meets via con-bers with questions in this area and can be reached atference call on the third Tuesday of every other month. If ewelch@passengervessel.com.Formembershipques- youreinterestedinjoining,contactEricChristensenat tions,accesstothememberresourcessectionontheechristensen@passengervessel.comorPeterLauridsenat PVAwebsite,orMariTrendsexhibitionplanning,peterlauridsen@msn.com. reachouttoDirectorofFinanceLeslieKagariseat lkagarise@passengervessel.com.TosharecompanyThe Legislative Committee represents and promotes the newsorpertinentinformationwithothermembers,interests of the passenger vessel industry before the U.S. contactFoghornManagingEditorSarahFerrettiatCongress, though membership on this committee does not sarah@passengervessel.com,andshecanworkwithrequire experience with Congress or the legislative process. yourteamonanarticleforanupcomingissue.TheThe committee meets as needed and is headed by Ed Welch voice of PVAs legal hotline is Steve Bers. He always sayswho can be reached at ewelch@passengervessel.com. The that theres no question that he hasnt heard before andMembership and Marketing Committee is made up of indi-hes ready to assist members with any legal question orviduals interested in promoting membership in PVA, iden-concern that may arise. You can call the legal hotline attifying industry trends and needs, and helps shape PVAs Continued on page 47FOGHORN 4'