b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORStrong Spring and SummerAT THE HELMSeasons ExpectedJOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORP VA members are reporting strong customer demandWith regard to cannabis, our vessel-operating members for passenger vessel services this spring and summerare more concerned about what an employee does before across the nation. From dinner cruise vessels to ex- coming to work and assuming the watch than what they cursion vessels to the small overnight cruise markets, alldid two months ago and is still detectable but not impair-signals point to growing demand from domestic travelers.ing behavior or performance. The use of the oral fluids Industry experts believe that much of this demand is driv- test opens the opportunity to hire and retain qualified en by a post-pandemic desire to get back outside and beginworkers through effective real-time testing. Being found travelingagain.Whiletravelexpertsareforecastinganunder the influence of alcohol or drugs while on duty is increase in domestic travel, they are signaling slower come- unacceptable. As more states decriminalize the use of can-backs for business and international travel. On a more pos- nabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes, our itive note, the U.S. Travel Association is seeing increasingvessel-operating members are finding it difficult to hire demand from foreign markets such as Brazil and Canada.employees willing to abstain during their off-duty hours. DRUG TESTING AND RETAINING EMPLOYEES While this oral fluid test proposal would not detect canna-Againstthispositiveeconomicandbusinessbackdrop,bis impairment, it would establish a 24-hour testing win-PVA members are still struggling to find employees. Whiledow for marijuana which is a solid step forward. YOU MAXIMIZEthis problem has improved somewhat, PVA members arePVA PRESIDENT TESTIFIES AT EPA HEARING successfully coping with this lingering problem by stream-lining operations and making do with reduced employeeON CALIFORNIAS REVISED HARBOR CRAFT PRODUCTIVITY. numbers. As a result, consolidating duties and responsibil- EMISSIONS RULE Jim Swindler urged the Envi-ities have become a way of life and an expected norm. This month PVA President ronmental Protection Agency (EPA) to turn down Cali-As PVA members continue to struggle finding and keepingfornias request for permission to begin enforcement of its employees, drug testing, especially testing for marijuanarevised Commercial Harbor Craft air emissions rule.A use, presents challenges for many passenger vessel opera- denial would enable CARB and the passenger vessel sec-tors. Unlike alcohol, which is eliminated from an individ- tor to re-engage to develop a more realistic revision to the WE BOOST EFFICIENCY. uals bloodstream in a matter of hours, marijuana can re- Harbor Craft Emissions rule. Read the full statement here. main in the system for many weeks. As a result, employeesThe EPA held a virtual public hearing on whether to autho-can test positive for marijuana days after having consumedrize Californias enforcement of its updated Commercial FPT marine propulsion inline diesel and hybrid enginesthe substance. Harbor Craft air emissions requirements. PVA will submit from 6.7L 350 HP to 16L 1,000 HPdeliver best-in-classa more detailed statement to the regulatory docket by July 1.performance, reliability, low noise vibration and harshness,PVA has long argued for an accepted drug test that could and high fuel efficiency. be used to detect marijuana impairment, or short-term use,PVA SUBMITS COMMENTS TO CONGRESS ON Hybrid diesel and electric marine engines and it appears that the emergence of an oral fluid testingRIGHT WHALE SPEED LIMIT PROPOSED RULE option might offer some relief for both passenger vesselA House of Representatives subcommittee held a hearingKeel-cooled and heat exchange options operators and employees. Last year, the U.S. Departmentthis month on the proposed revisions to the existing ruleBest in class for slow speed torque of Transportation issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemak- setting vessel speed limits and zones to protect the endan- Fuel efficient and low noise (NVA) ing (NPRM) on oral fluid drug testing. PVA commentedgered North Atlantic right whale. PVA submitted com- Best in class for extended maintenance intervals on this proposed rule, which it generally supports, saying,ments for the record which can be accessed here.Find your local dealer at fptindustrial.comC16 1000 Continued on page 4024/7 Care & Assistance:833-458-1378 815 HP @ 2000 RPM7 JUNE 2023'