Passenger Vessel Operators Looking Forward
As we take a breath and collectively step into 2021, I’m choosing to be optimistic and focus on the opportunities ahead. Trust me, that’s not easy to say. Even as we are still experiencing a global pandemic which has devastated both the health and financial safety of our families, friends, employees, businesses, and communities. We may be down, but I say don’t lose hope.Stronger togetherAs President of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) and President of my family’s business…
Protecting Your Right to a ‘Bon Voyage’
The National Transportation Safety Board’s Earl F. Weener responds to our March 2014 MarineNews BY THE NUMBERS feature, entitled “Passenger Vessel Safety Record Defies NTSB Hit List.” The NTSB Board Member takes issue with the inference that their scrutiny of the record of passenger vessel safety is misplaced and should be better directed elsewhere. Naturally, we still think otherwise. Each year, the NTSB issues a Most Wanted List of safety advocacy priorities. This year, one of the top priorities is to advance passenger vessel safety. Why? Because when people step onto a ferry, sightseeing boat, or cruise ship, they have a right to a ‘bon voyage’ — literally, a “good trip” and figuratively, a “safe trip” — whether in their daily commutes or on a family cruise.
NTSB Board to Discuss Wall St. Ferry Accident
The National Transportation Safety Board will meet to discuss a 2013 accident involving the Seastreak Wall Street commuter ferry in lower Manhattan. On January 9, 2013, the high-speed passenger ferry, Seastreak Wall Street, on a routine trip from New Jersey to Pier 11/Wall Street, struck the pier as it approached the dock. Four of the 331 people on board the vessel sustained serious injuries. The meeting will take place Tuesday, April 8 at 9:30 a.m. EDT, at the NTSB Board Room and Conference Center in Washington D.C. A link to the webcast will be available shortly before the start of the meeting at www.capitolconnection.net/capcon/ntsb/ntsb.htm.
NTSB Forum on Cruise Ship Safety, Oversight
The National Transportation Safety Board announced it will hold a public forum on cruise ship safety and oversight on March 25-26 in Washington. The forum, Cruise Ships: Examining Safety, Operations and Oversight, will review the regulatory framework, ship design and fire protection, operations and corporate oversight of cruise ships. It will also explore some recent high-profile incidents. The forum's goal is to encourage dialogue among industry stakeholders, regulators, and the general public to better understand cruise ship safety and oversight.
NTSB Meets on Alaska Ranger Sinking
The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a public Board meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at 9:30 a.m., in its Board Room and Conference Center, 429 L'Enfant Plaza, S.W., Washington, D.C. There is one agenda item. On March 23, 2008, the Alaska Ranger, a fish processing vessel, owned by Fishing Company of Alaska, sank in the Bering Sea, 120 nautical miles west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Five of the 47 persons aboard the Alaska Ranger died. The wreckage lies at the bottom of the sea and was not examined. A live and archived webcast of the proceedings will be available on the Board's website (http://ntsb.gov/events/Boardmeeting.htm). Technical support details are available under "Board Meetings" on the NTSB website.
