b'cate for the Services mission withinWhenoperatorsevadeCoastGuardrecentyears.PVAalsoworkedwith the administration and ensure parityinspection, licensed captains, and re- House and Senate offices to highlight with other armed services. quired lifesaving equipment, they arethe importance of maintaining robust notjustbreakingthelawtheyaresupportfortheU.S.ArmyCorps DirectiontotheCoastGuardtoendangeringlivesandunderminingofEngineersHarborMaintenance streamlinemarinercredentialing,responsible small businesses. TrustFund,whichsustainscritical includingimprovedintegrationofnavigation infrastructure relied upon the National Maritime Centers dig- by passenger vessels.ital services. We encourage all members to stayAnnual funding decisions determine PVA is monitoring both bills closely.whether programs like the Small Ship-OncetheHouseandSenatereachengaged. Share youryardGrantProgramcancontinue agreement,theresultingauthoriza- stories about workingtodeliverresults.ThatswhyPVAs tion will shape Coast Guard oversightgrassrootsadvocacythroughour for the next several years. Our messagewith local shipyards.fly-in,regionalmeetings,andmem-remainsconsistent:passengervesselReport illegal charterberengagementremainsessential. operators support strong safety stan- Whenlawmakersheardirectlyfrom dards,butweneedregulationsthatactivity to the Coastoperators in their districts and states, are clear, consistent, and workable forGuard and to PVA. theybetterunderstandwhysteady, small businesses. And continue predictable funding matters.ILLEGAL CHARTERS reaching out to yourLOOKING AHEADWhile Congress debates major legis- elected officials. As we approach the end of the first lation, another issue has drawn atten- sessionofthe119thCongress,PVA tion because of its real and growingisworkingonmultiplefronts:sup-safetyimplications:illegalcharters.porting long-term investments in U.S. TheseoperationscutcornersonPVA will continue to make the caseshipyardsthroughtheSHIPSAct, compliancetoundercutlegitimatethat the Coast Guard needs adequatepressingforstrongerenforcement operators.Tragically,severalrecentresourcesandauthoritytoenforceagainst illegal charters, tracking Coast accidents have underscored the dan- existinglaw.WealsourgemembersGuardpolicychanges,andfighting ger.In2022,anoverloadedillegalto share their experiences with us soforappropriationsthatsustainthe charter vessel capsized in the Hudsonwe can provide real-world examples toprograms our members rely on.River, killing two people. In Florida,Congress and regulators.the Coast Guard continues to pursueWe encourage all members to stay en-unlawfuloperatorswhoadvertiseAPPROPRIATIONS gaged. Share your stories about work-through social media and place pas- Even as Congress considers new ini- ing with local shipyards. Report illegal sengers at risk. tiatives like the SHIPS Act, much ofcharteractivitytotheCoastGuard the work in Washington still revolvesand to PVA. And continue reaching PVA has been at the forefront of urg- aroundannualappropriations.Au- outtoyourelectedofficialsthose ing Congress and the Coast Guard tothorizationcreatestheframework,conversations make a difference.make illegal charters a serious enforce- but appropriations provide the fund-mentpriority.Recently,theHouseing that makes programs real. Passengervesseloperatorsplaya TransportationandInfrastructureunique role in Americas maritime in-CommitteedirectedtheGovern- This year, PVA joined industry part- dustry. By keeping safety, fairness, and mentAccountabilityOffice(GAO)ners in requesting a $30 million appro- infrastructure investment at the center to study Coast Guard efforts to curbpriation for the Small Shipyard Grantof the policy debate, PVA ensures that these operations. Programa meaningful increase overyour voice is heard in Washington.43 OCTOBER 2025'