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John Groundwater News

26 Feb 2024

Many Different Vessels but One Goal – Passenger Safety

© Olivier / Adobe Stock

Because there are so many different kinds of passenger vessels, the critical topic of passenger safety can sometimes appear as a set of niche topics, each one just distantly connected to another. After all, passengers aboard a cruise ship in the Caribbean face safety issues that are much different than a commuter going from Jersey City to Manhattan or a tourist crossing from the Mukilteo, Wash. ferry terminal to Whidbey Island or a family on a fishing vessel in Miami.Importantly, though, for passenger vessel operators, a commitment to safety is not siloed.

16 Feb 2023

2023 Shipbuilding Report: US Passenger Vessels

Casco Bay Line selected the Senesco to build a double ended hybrid electric ferry to replace an existing diesel boat. (Image: EBDG)

With travel and tourism nearing pre-2020 levels, and transit systems benefiting from a return to work, passenger vessels have seen renewed activity. In its year-end review, John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), which advocates for the sector in Washington, D.C. wrote: “As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, we are delighted to report that our industry, and our members, are reporting far and wide that they have experienced very…

27 Jun 2017

Coast Guard Recognizes PVA's Flagship Safety Management System

On June 12, 2017, the Coast Guard's national Director of Inspections and Compliance formally recognized PVA's Flagship Safety Management System (SMS) as an acceptable method for developing and implementing a company specific voluntary SMS. In a letter to PVA's Executive Director, Capt. Jennifer Williams stated, "The U.S. Williams' letter also acknowledged that vessel companies that effectively implement PVA Flagship SMS will be recognized and considered by local Coast Guard inspection offices for reduced scope of inspections under the Coast Guard Risk Based Decision Making policy for small passenger vessels. In response to the letter, PVA's Executive Director John Groundwater stated, "We are pleased with the Coast Guard's formal recognition of the PVA Flagship SMS program.

23 Nov 2015

VIKING, PVA Join Forces for New USCG Safety Compliancy

Coastal vessel operators trying to come to terms with upgraded US Coast Guard regulations for survival craft have been helped along the way by VIKING at the annual Passenger Vessel Association and U.S. Coast Guard Industry Day in Miami. Marine safety equipment manufacturer and servicing provider VIKING Life-Saving Equipment recently participated in an event at the annual Passenger Vessel Association and U.S. Coast Guard Industry Day in Miami. The company had been invited to the event by John Groundwater, Executive Director of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), to provide hands-on support for the upcoming life float replacement task faced by coastal operators in response to new USCG regulations slated to come into force on Feb. 26, 2016.

29 May 2014

Christensen Joins PVA Staff

Eric Christensen

Retired Coast Guard Captain Eric Christensen has joined the PVA Staff as the Director of Regulatory Affairs and Risk Management. In this position, he will be a resource for PVA members regarding safety, security and environmental protection compliance issues and the PVA staff liaison for the PVA Safety and Security Committee. Eric is a 1987 graduate of California Maritime Academy, with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering and maintains his Third Assistant Engineer's license for steam or motor vessels of unlimited horsepower (5th issue).

03 Feb 2011

Passenger Vessel Market Update

John Groundwater, Executive Director, Passenger Vessel Association

MarineNews spoke with industry experts to get an overview of the passenger vessel market as it stands today, including a legislative update and business leaders’ insights on pricing, ridership and vessel construction and renovation. Actions in Congress this year provided a mixed bag for passenger vessel operators. Because of the new tax law, private operators will be able to take advantage of an immediate 100% depreciation deduction for capital investments made in 2011. Also,…

23 Apr 2009

Passenger Vessel Industry “Green” Manual

The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA), the nation's representative of owners and operators of U.S.-flagged passenger vessels of all types, launched PVA Waters – “We Are Taking Environmental Responsibility/Stewardship” – environmental conservation program coinciding with Earth Day 2009. This voluntary program provides a comprehensive look at the “green” movement through realistic approaches for owners and operators to adopt or expand environmentally friendly practices. The PVA Waters program best green business practices manual shares practical, cost-effective “green initiatives” through case studies and examples tailored specifically to the passenger vessel industry that introduce environmentally friendly measures and their impact on the environment and public opinion.

12 Jul 2002

PVA Meets with TSA Officials

The newly created Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is best known for the fact that it is taking over all security and screening functions at American airports. However, TSA also has broad jurisdiction over all transportation modes, including maritime. TSA is beginning to look at security issues affecting the maritime industry. To familiarize the new agency with the characteristics of the U.S.-flag domestic passenger vessel industry, PVA staff (John Groundwater, Peter Lauridsen, and Ed Welch) met recently with TSA representatives, including several USSG officers, in Washington, D.C. TSA participants in the meeting included Mark H. Johnson (Deputy Associate Under Secretary for Maritime and Land Security), Ken Concepcion (Maritime Branch Chief, Passenger/Cargo), and Pat Harris.