PVA & Coast Guard In Hi-speed Vessel Fire Safety Accord
The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) & the U.S. Coast Guard sign policy agreement regarding Coast Guard approval of fire protection for newly constructed high-speed vessels. This agreement is critical to the U.S. shipbuilding industry to ensure delivery of Coast Guard-approved high-speed passenger vessels. The product of a chartered working group of experienced PVA member industry experts and Coast Guard policy specialists, the agreement details guidelines for pre-approved design criteria including seating arrangements and space dimensions.
Coast Guard Announces Reduced Drug Test Frequency
Supported by impressive results and after repeated requests by the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), the U.S. Coast Guard has announced the reduction for the testing rate for Coast Guard-mandated random drug tests to 25% for 2013 for passenger vessel operators. “Reducing the frequency of random drug testing from the rate of 50% to 25% for passenger vessel operators has been a goal of PVA this year,” said PVA President Paul Belforti. Through PVA/Coast Guard Quality Partnership meetings and through targeted communications effort, PVA strongly advocated for the reduction of the random drug testing rate. The maritime industry has demonstrated a consistent reduction in positives since mandatory drug testing was implemented…
PVA Calls for TWIC Re-Evaluation
Passenger Vessel Association Marks 10th Anniversary of Maritime Security Law; Calls for Reevaluation of TWIC. On the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Public Law 107-295), the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) takes note of the far-reaching security enhancements adopted by the U.S. flagged passenger vessel industry but also calls on Congress to re-evaluate the expensive and unsuccessful Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.
PVA Elects New Officers and Board
At the 2010 Passenger Vessel Association Convention at MariTrends in Tampa, Fla., the members of the PVA elected their new officers and board members. Captain Kevin Stier, River Cruises, Scales Mound, Ill. Captain Jay Spence, Massachusetts Bay Lines, Boston, Mass. Paul Belforti, Entertainment Cruises, Chicago, Ill. Captain Kevin Stier is the owner and operator of River Cruises. River Cruises offers two day overnight cruises on the Upper Mississippi River aboard the vessel Twilight. Captain Stier’s career started with him working on the Julia Belle Swain for the late Captain Dennis Trone, one of the original members of the PVA, throughout the span of his career Captain Stier has piloted the Julia Belle Swain, the Talisman and Twilight, of which he was instrumental in the construction.
PVA Elects New President, Officers,Board
PVA members, during the PVA Annual Convention at MariTrends 2010 in Tampa, Fla., elected Kevin Stier as President. Captain Stier is owner of River Cruises, Scales Mound, Ill.. River Cruises operates the 149 passenger Riverboat Twilight that offers two-day overnight cruises on the Upper Mississippi River. A longtime member of the PVA Regulatory Committee, Captain Stier has been a member of the PVA Board of Directors since 2003 and has served as PVA Vice-President and PVA Secretary-Treasurer. Captain Jay Spence was elected PVA Vice President. Captain Spence is General Manager of Massachusetts Bay Lines in Boston, Mass. This second-generation, family-owned business has operated since 1963 and is the oldest operating year-round commuter service in Boston.
