b'LEGISLATIVE REPORTLEGISLATIVE GAO Study of Illegal Charter Operations Following PVA AdvocacyRICHARD PATCH // LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORI llegalpassenger-for-hirevesselAgainstthisbackdrop,theGovern- ysis needed to strengthen enforcement operationsoftencalledillegalment Accountability Office (GAO), anand oversight.chartershave emerged as a per- independent, non-partisan agency that sistentanddamagingchallengetois often called the congressional watch- UNDERSTANDINGthe U.S.-flag passenger vessel indus- dog, has agreed to a bipartisan requestTHE THREATtry. While the U.S. Coast Guard hasfromtheleadersoftheU.S.HouseSafety and Economic ImpactsincreaseditsenforcementpresenceTransportationandInfrastructureIllegal charter operators often use unin-in recent years, the scale, geographicCommittee (T&I) to conduct a com- spected vessels, operate without creden-spread,andsophisticationoftheseprehensive federal study of illegal pas- tialed mariners, and fail to implement unlawfuloperationscontinuetosenger-for-hire operations. This actionmandatorydrug-testingprograms, outpaceavailableresources.Forle- comes in direct response to sustainedvoyage planning, lifesaving equipment gitimate operators who invest heavilyadvocacy from the Passenger Vessel As- requirements,andothercoresafety insafety,compliance,training,andsociation (PVA) and its members.standards. For the public, the risks are vesselmaintenance,thegrowthofreal: passengers often step aboard ves-illegal charters represents not only anTheGAOsinvestigationmarksasels that appear legitimate without any economic threat but also an erosionturningpointinnationalrecogni- understandingthattheoperationis of public trust in the safety of mari- tion of the problem and will provideunlawful, unregulated, and dangerous.time transportation. Congress with the independent anal-Fromabusinessstandpoint,illegal operatorscanunderpricelegitimate servicespreciselybecausetheyskip these regulatory and safety obligations. ResponsibleU.S.-flagoperatorsmust absorb the costs of inspections, compli-Navigate Risk Withanceprograms,crewlicensing,insur-Confidence ance, training, and vessel management. Illegalchartersbypasstheserequire-USIs maritime specialistsments entirely, siphoning demand away combine proprietary analytics,from compliant operators and degrad-broad experience, and nationaling competitive conditions in markets resources to create customizedacross the countryfrom Miami, New insurance and risk managementYork, Chicago, and Los Angeles to in-programs designed to reduceland lakes and river systems.cost and lower risk for your business. The result is an uneven playing field Proud supporters of thethat not only harms lawful operators Property & CasualtyPassenger Vessel Association butthreatensthereputationofthe Employee BenefitsUSI Insurance Servicesentire passenger vessel industry. Every Personal Risk Retirement Consulting 601 Union Street high-profileaccidentinvolvingan Seattle, WA 98101illegalcharter(andtherearemany) 206.441.6300 | www.usi.com2023 USI Insurance Services. All rights reserved.FOGHORN 48'