51
MARCH 2026
was revised to include many PVA 
recommendations. These changes 
will reduce the burden, cost, and 
time, associated with approving 
vessel light fixtures.
2026 AND BEYOND
The Regulatory Committee submitted 
comments to the docket and developed a 
member template for the Coast Guard’s 
Request for Information on improving 
the Streamlined Inspection Program. 
The committee will continue to mon-
itor the Federal Register for opportuni-
ties to comment on deregulatory efforts 
including rescheduling of cannabis, 
electronic chart requirements, mariner 
training, and Coast Guard enforcement 
regulations for the EPA Vessel Inciden-
tal Discharge Act Final Rule.
The Safety and Security Committee 
has several working groups and focus 
areas for 2026 including:
• Publish a Senior Deckhand 
Training Manual – This manual 
is nearing completion and will not 
only satisfy the guidance, training, 
and documentation requirements in 
Coast Guard Navigation and Vessel 
Inspection Circular (NVIC) 01-91 
Recommended Qualifications for 
Small Passenger Vessel Deckhands, 
but also duties associated with crew 
management, training, engineering, 
and security requirements.
• Stand up an Illegal Passenger Opera-
tions Working Group in support 
of the Government Accountability 
Office (GAO) study scheduled to 
begin in 2026 – PVA has pushed for 
a study of the impacts of illegal  
passenger operations on public safety  
PVA at its core is 
a member-driven 
association. The 
dozens of volunteers 
who serve on the  
PVA Board of 
Directors, as region 
chairs, and on the 
various committees 
within PVA make a 
positive impact not 
only within PVA, 
but also the entire 
domestic passenger 
vessel industry.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.