b'SAFETYSAFETY MATTERSWhat Are We Up To?ERIC CHRISTENSEN // PVA DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY AFFAIRS & RISK MANAGEMENTD uring recent interactions withmembersoftheSafetyandSecuritytheindustry,casualties,regulations, members across the countryand Regulatory Committees are partand the impact fire safety mitigation it occurred to me and otherof a working group chartered underefforts can have on the industry from PVA staff that sometimes we need tothe Coast Guard/PVA Quality Part- a cost and lost time standpoint. The remind our members what we are upnershiptoaddressfiresafetyissuesworking group will also make recom-to regarding longer term projects andon board domestic passenger vessels.mendations to the Coast Guard and working groups with the U.S. CoastSome of the tasks to be accomplishedthe PVA on how to improve fire safety Guardandothermaritimeindustryby the working group include: on domestic passenger vessels. stakeholders. Some these activities are tied to the PVA/Coast Guard Quality Conduct a comprehensive reviewHULL PLATE Partnership, others are issues broughtofcurrentfiresafetyregulationsASSESSMENT TOOLforward by members to address a safe- for domestic passenger vessels; Bob Bijur with Island Queen Cruises ty or compliance concern, while stillhas led a team effort to develop a tool others are ongoing projects as part of Determine the population of ves- that will assess the condition of pittedPVA committee business.sels in each inspection category; hull plates during an inspection. This willassistvesselowners,shipyards, SAFETY MANUAL UPDATES Compile a current list of approvedand Coast Guard inspectors to quick-One of the responsibilities of the PVAand listed fire detection and sup- ly evaluate effective plate thickness on Safety and Security Committee is topression systems available to meetareas of a vessel hull and structure that periodicallyreviewandupdatetheregulatory requirements; are in question. The tool should also safetymanualsdevelopedovertheexpedite the repair proposal process. yearstoassistmembersintraining ReviewfirecasualtydatafromThe tool under final development iscrewandmaintainingasafeopera- 2019 to 2023 to determine com- basedonguidanceprovidedbythe tion.EarlierthisyearboththeLinemontrends,lessonslearned,andShipStructuresCommitteetothe HandlingandIntroductiontoLife- cost to industry; Coast Guard in 2007. At this writing, savingEquipmentmanualrevisionstheworkinggrouphasdeveloped were approved by the committee. The Solicit comments on the practicalacomputerprogramthatisunder revisedmanualsweresubsequentlyapplication and cost of fire detec- review by the Coast Guard Office of uploaded to the PVA Learning Man- tion and su ppression systems re- EngineeringStandardsandtheMa-agement Portal, available through thequirements on existing vessels notrine Safety Center. Once it is accepted memberresourcepageonthePVArequired such systems; by the Coast Guard the program will website, maintained by PVA associatebe sent to PVA members and Coast memberMarineLearningSystems. Solicit comments on best practicesGuardinspectionofficesforusein The Basic Firefighting Manual is cur- developed by industry in responsethe field.rently under review and revision. to recent fire casualties;DECORATIVE ANDFIRE SAFETY Oncetheworkinggrouphascom- LED LIGHTINGWORKING GROUP pleted their tasks, they will release aShould every light fixture on a passen-AttherequestoftheCoastGuard,whitepaperonthecurrentstateofger vessel look like it belongs on a bat-FOGHORN 38'