b"qualifi cations,certifi cation,documentation,There are also National Advisory Committeescommitteesseekexpertiseintheirareasof andfi standards.Thecommitteeprovideswe monitor and engage when issues arise, andfocus.N-MERPAC,forexample,willhavetness valuable advice to the Coast Guard to assist thewe need to provide input or off er to supportcredentialed mariners and training institutions U.S. in formulating and presenting its positionsstudies or research.well represented. All advisory committees will totheInternationalMaritimeOrganizationhavespotsavailableforthegeneralpublic. onmaritimematters.ItcannotbeoverstatedTHE NATIONAL BOATINGThe application and selection process can take that N-MERPAC has been instrumental in theSAFETY ADVISORYmonths, so be patient.development of mariner competency policies andCOMMITTEE (N-BSAC).credentialling regulations for over a decade. N-BSACmembersprovideadviceandNationalAdvisoryCommitteetermsvary recommendationsonmattersrelatingtofrom one to three years based on the advisory Gary Frommelt of American Queen Steamboatrecreational boating safety to the Coast Guardcommitteeandthereareopportunitiesto Company is the PVA member on N-MERPAC.and are selected from disciplines within therenewappointments.Atacertainpoint, followingfi ofexpertise:stateboatingmemberscannotrenewandmustleavetheelds THE NATIONAL MERCHANTsafetyprograms,recreationalvesselandcommittee.Thisensuresthatnewblood MARINER MEDICAL ADVISORYassociatedequipmentmanufacturers;andenterstheadvisorycommitteesystemover COMMITTEE (N-MEDMAC) nationalrecreationalboatingorganizations,time to refl ect new and diverse opinions.N-MEDMACservesasastandingboardofandthegeneralpublic.PVAssharingthe medicalspecialistsandmaritimerepresentativeswaterwaysoutreachandsuccesseswereWhen in-person meetings are scheduled, the who provide expert medical advice to the CoastorchestratedthoughdirectinvolvementCoast Guard will pay for travel, lodging, and Guard on matters related to:with N-BSAC. per diem costs for committee members. Medical certifi cation determinations forCOMMITTEE ADMINISTRATION PVA staffwill continue to encourage membersissuance of licenses, certifi cates of registry, andWhen vacancies occur on National Advisoryto seek appointments to National Maritimemerchant mariners' documentsCommittees,therewillbesolicitationsforAdvisoryCommittees.ForthosewhohaveMedical standards and guidelines fornewmemberssentoutacrosstheindustry.questions, we encourage you to reach out tothe physical qualifi cations of operators ofAsstatedpreviously,advisorycommitteesthemembersmentionedabove.Theyhavecommercial vesselsarehighlyregulated,andthisincludesthebeen through the appointment process andMedical examiner educationmake-upofthecommittee.Alladvisoryknow the value of advisory committees. Medical research N-MEDMACalsoreviewsworkfromother medicaladvisoryboardstorecommend uniformguidelinesformerchantmarinerINNOVATIVE. medical/functionalfi tness.Therecentworkof N-MEDMAChasfocusedonmarinermental fi bytheindustryduringtheCOVID-19UNIQUE.ALL AMERICAN MARINE tness and coping skills in light of the challenges faced pandemic. currentlynoPVAmembersonPROVEN.Thereare N-MEDMAC.THE NATIONAL NAVIGATION SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (N-NSAC)N-NSAC is the committee which advises the Coast Guard on matters relating to maritime collisions, rammings,andgroundings;inlandrulesofthe road; international rules of the road; navigation regulationsandequipment;routingmeasures; marineinformation;andaidstonavigation systems. Recently, the committee has tackled such issues as acceptance of electronic charts. The following PVA members are on N-NSAC: DaveAnderson,FireIslandFerries;Earnesto Coleman, City Experiences by Hornblower; Greg Giff ord, Giff ord Maritime. ALLAMERICANMARINE.comBellingham, WA | 360.647.7602Pictured: Spirit of Matushka - A 150 Passenger, hydrofoil-assisted catamaran, custom built for Major Marine ToursOCTOBER 2021 31 SAFETY MATTERS"