4 FOGHORN Ferries Are Part of the Climate Solution T he passenger vessel industry has always been a good-faith partner in protecting America’s water- ways. We invest in cleaner fuels and electrification, upgrade our engines, embrace voluntary safety and envi- ronmental programs such as PVA’s Green WATERS pro- gram, and support sensible federal oversight. PVA is receptive to rational and reasoned technological advance- ments and ideas that promote environmen- tal responsibility. Our organization has long taken a leadership role in this area and con- tinues to expand its activities to embrace emerging technologies which reduce emissions and pollution. The PVA Decarbonization Forum is an example of our national leadership in this area. The forum involves passenger vessel operators, and transportation experts, who come together reg- ularly to discuss and analyze emerging technologies aimed at reducing engine emissions. These individuals are highly committed and work diligently to promote industry prog- ress in the decarbonization arena. While progress is being made throughout the U.S. passen- ger vessel industry in reducing engine emissions, Califor- nia passenger vessel operators are faced with regulations that will require onerous engine emission reductions by 2035. The Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) rule, en- forced by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will force the costly replacement of vessels, engines, and the use of technology that in many cases does not exist. In 2022, CARB toughened its already-strict harbor craft emissions rules to require EPA Tier 3 and Tier 4 engines fitted with diesel par- ticulate filters (DPFs) on passenger vessels operating in Califor- nia waters. On Jan. 6, 2025—in one of its final acts—the outgoing EPA administration granted California a Clean Air Act waiver to begin enforcing these amend- ments. The compliance clock is now ticking. A key problem with the regulation is that much of the technology CARB is mandating does not exist com- mercially for passenger vessel operators. For example, required diesel particulate filters (DPF) for marine applications are not yet available for CARB compliant marine engines. You cannot comply with a reg- ulation that requires equipment you cannot buy. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard has formally advised California that it has serious safety and fire concerns about DPF installation aboard vessels. The Coast Guard’s 11th District Commander, Admiral Sugimoto, sent a letter di- rectly to CARB expressing concern about the fire risk asso- ciated with DPF technology on marine vessels. This is not ANDREW SARGIS // PRESIDENT AT THE HELM LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Continued on page 48 We invest in cleaner fuels and electrification, upgrade our engines, embrace voluntary safety and environmental programs such as PVA’s Green WATERS program, and support sensible federal oversight.
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