b'To recognize the exceptional acts performed by crew ThefirsttookplaceonJune12,whileCapt.Ninowasun-FOGHORN FOCUS of PVA vessel members that result in a safer marine derwayforacruiseintheChicagoHarbor.Hespottedantransportationsystem,PVAdevelopedtwoprestigious oddshapebobbinginthewaterinthenortheastcornerofsafetyawards.CreatedbythePVASafetyandSecuri- theharbor.From200ft.away,heassumeditwasabird,butty Committee and sponsored by the Passenger Vessel astheyapproached,herealizeditwasapersonraisingtheirFoundation,theseawardsarepresentedeachyearatthe handsandfaintlyshoutingforhelp.ThecrewwasbaffledPVA Annual Convention at MariTrends. This month astherewerenoboatsorevenkayaksinthearea.TheydoveandinNovember,wewillsharethestoriesofthemostintoactionasCapt.Ninodirectedthecrewtotakeretrievalrecentrecipients. positionsandtothrowliferingsintothewater.Ashesteeredthevesselslowlyclosertothevictim,hedidaseriesofradioInthisarticle,welookattheCaptainElizabethGedney callsfortheU.S.CoastGuardandmarinepolice.WithinaPassenger Vessel Safety Award honoree. This award is fewminutes,thevictimwasrecoveredandaboardtheves-namedinhonorofCapt.ElizabethBethGedney,who sel.Thecrewperformedtriage,givingthepersonathermalwasPVAsdirectorofsafety,security,andriskmanage- blanketandjacketashewasshiveringandhisreactiontimesmentformanyyears.Itispresentedtorecognizeactionsby wereslow.Capt.Ninocommunicatedwithhismarineman-aPVAvesselmemberandtheiremployeesthroughsafety agertocoordinateEMStoShorelineSightseeingsdock,andtraining,seamanship,anddedicationtothebeststandards hesharedstatusupdateswiththeCoastGuard.Oncetheofthepassengervesselindustrythathaveresultedinasig- victimwassafelyonboardandallequipmentwasretrieved,nificant,positiveoutcome.Moresimply,actionstakenin Capt.NinoreturnedthevesseltothedockforEMSandresponsetoacrisisoremergencyresultinginasubstantial, CoastGuardpersonneltoassistthevictim.andpossiblylifesaving,impact.ThesecondincidenthappenedonSept.9.AsCapt.NinoIn2024,CaptainManuelNinoofShorelineSightseeing describesit,Thedaywasgoingwell,andIthoughtthereinChicagoreceivedtheCaptainElizabethGedneyPas- wasnowayIwouldhavetoseeactionagain,especiallyonsengerVesselSafetyAwardinrecognitionforhisactions abeautifulday.Iwaswrong.Duringacruiseheheardinthreeseparatemarineincidentsin2023. commotiononthedeckwhichledtoawomanshouting,Dontdoit!Atthat,hesawamanclimbontoabenchonthetopdeckinfullviewofthewheelhouseandstepovertherailingintothewater.Hearingthesplash,Capt.It is presented to Ninoinformedthecrewviaintercomofwhathadhap-penedanddirectedpassengerstoremainseatedandtorecognize actions by a notinterfere.Crewwhosawtheactionunfoldandhadtriedtodefusethesituationthrewlife-savingequipmentPVA vessel member andintothewaterandmannedtheirstationsfortheretriev-al.Capt.Ninoturnedtheboataroundwhileradioingtheir employees throughtheCoastGuardtoinformthemofthesituationandlo-safety training, seamanship,cation.Oncethejumperwasbackonboard,Capt.NinoinformedShorelineSightseeingsmanagerondutyandand dedication to the besttheCoastGuardthatthepersonwasokandthattheves-selwasheadingbacktodockforthejumpertobegivenstandards of the passengermedicalattention.vessel industry that haveTwoweekslater,onSept.24,thethirdincidenttookplace.Duringacruise,Capt.NinowashailedbytheChicagoresulted in a significant,MarinePoliceaskingifhecouldassistwithaship-to-shiptransfer of passengers from a broken-down commercialpositive outcome.passenger vessel. Capt. Nino contacted his manager onFOGHORN 18'