b'FOGHORNFOCUS: OPERATIONSReady to Open? PVA Operators Share Their Practices to Clean Up After CoronavirusBy Karen Rainbolt, FOGHORN Managing EditorInterstate Navigation Company, which operates Block Island Ferry, conducted drills during its recent U.S. Coast Guard inspection. Drills included fire and man overboard drills. Photos: Block Island FerryI n many areas, restrictions are loosening after weeks, inand Security Committee, led by its chair Ben Bernstein, BB some cases months, of government-ordered shutdownsRiverboats, co-chair Earnesto Coleman, Hornblower Cruises due to the COVID-19. Are you ready? and Events, and aided by PVAs Eric Christensen, created a In addition to the usual litany of must-do concerns thatdocument that is unique to the passenger vessel industry. every passenger vessel operator performs every year toThe Passenger Vessel Association Reopening Guidelines: Getting ensure that theyll be readythe Domestic Passenger Vessel to serve their customers withIndustry Back Underway is exceptional experiences onavailable to all members and Americas waterways, this yearhas been shared with federal, is expected to be the most chal- state, and local government lenging. Each state has, or will,officials so that they are aware issued its criteria for businessesof the deep level of consci-to reopen. In addition, someentious attempts to ensure counties and cities have alsothe safety and wellbeing of announced their requirementsemployees, passengers, and that business owners must meetcommunities served by the in order to open their doors.passenger vessel industry. This Most of these criteria stem fromdocument is available on the guidelines that are in accor- PVA website.dance with federal regulationsErik Bombard, Catalina and recommendations. Federal guidelines include informa- Express and Chris Myers, Interstate Navigation Company, tion from the Centers of Disease Control and Preventionare two members of the PVA Safety and Security Committee (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Federalwho helped craft the PVA Reopening Guidelines. Both operate Emergency Management Administration, the U.S. Coastferry systems and had the opportunity to share their expe-Guard, USA.gov, the White House, and others. riences of keeping the virus at bay at their operations with Using these guidelines as a starting point, the PVA Safetytheir fellow vessel operators.6JUNE 2020FOGHORN'