b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPVA Members Continue which was developed by the PVA Safety and to Support Each Other Security Committee, adopts the recommen-dations of the Centers for Disease Control PVA members have always come together inand Prevention (CDC) limiting the effects of tough times. Whether economic challenges,coronavirus. PVA members are widely using weather impacts, or the effects of the currentthese guidelines to not only open their opera-coronavirus pandemic, PVA members tions but to also put in place long-terms plans. Vessel and Associate members alikealwaysIn addition to distributing these guide-bond together. During this pandemic, theyJohn Groundwater lines to members, PVA felt it important to also have exchanged emails offering advice, par- communicate with Governors and state gov-ticipated in virtual meetings, conference calls,ernments about the steps being taken by the webinars and, generally, support each other. It is heart- passenger vessel industry to combat the coronavirus and ening to witness this, and I continue to be extremelyprotect passengers and crew. As a result, it was decided to impressed with the resilience and creativity of ourdistribute the PVA guidelines widely to state governors members. to urge them adopt our proposed guidelines as they work to Travel Readiness reopen their states. It was felt At this point, all in the travelWhile there are certainly no crystal ballsthat this effort would also serve and tourism industry, includingconcerning this, industry researchersto standardize reopening rules passenger vessel operators,are reporting that Americans long tofor the passenger vessel industry vendors, and suppliers, aretravel once again. throughout the country. holding their collective breathIn the letters, PVA President waiting for reliable signsColleen Stephens stated, A that economy will open, andvessel that carries a limited customers will once again return. While there arenumber of passengers on an open-air deck with social certainly no crystal balls concerning this, industry re- distancing and a facial covering policy should be allowed searchers are reporting that Americans long to travelto begin service now. A passenger on an open-air deck once again.wearing a facial covering or observing proper social dis-Longwoods International, a destination and travel- tancing is equivalent to a person on a beach or in a public oriented research firm, indicates that Americans appearpark.to be less concerned about the coronavirus pandemic for their future travel. According to the research firm, nearlySuccessful Virtual PVA/Coast Guard Quality half of American travelers are planning to take somePartnership Meetingtype of trip between Memorial Day and July 4. TheyAlong with the rest of the country who are using estimate further that 71 percent of American travelersvirtual platforms to communicate and hold face-to-face have travel plans in the next six months and that two- meetings, last month PVA and U.S. Coast Guard leaders thirds of Americans have a least one trip planned thisparticipated in a first-ever virtual meeting of the PVA/year. Experts predict that there will be slow, but steady,Coast Guard Quality Partnership (QP) meeting. The QP progress in returning to some semblance of normalcy inis extremely important as it allows leaders from both or-the travel and tourism sector.ganizations to exchange information and explore issues It appears that PVA members in many areas areof importance to the passenger vessel industry. Of note, starting to open their businesses back up and are expe- this meeting presented a timely opportunity to brief riencing some optimism about the return of customers.Coast Guard leadership on the far-reaching impact of the Others in states that are opening more slowly are stillcoronavirus pandemic on the industry and to learn of waiting to operate. It is our hope that states will opentheir challenges also. more quickly than expected and that PVA members can get back to the business of transporting and entertainingOn the Lookout for Illegal Charterspassengers aboard their vessels. While commercial passenger vessels have been literally shut down during the coronavirus pandemic, PVA Reopening Guidelines Sent to Governors apparently there has been a surge in illegal charter boat As you may know, PVA has developed and releasedactivity nationwide as recreation vessel owners look to an important new document for use by all PVA membersgenerate revenue using their vessels. Certain websites entitled Reopening Guidelines: Getting the Domesticthat market rentals of recreational vessels, and some of Passenger Vessel Industry Back Underway. This document,LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONTINUED ON PAGE 42JUNE 2020FOGHORN 5'