As a mariner and small business owner, I have been closely watching the new administration. Many issues are being examined that stand to impact the maritime industry and my business. For years, small businesses have sought relief from regulators. At BB Riverboats, we estimate that we have been regulated by at least 14 federal, state, or local agencies, which has often been overwhelming for staff and crew to manage.
While I am enthusiastic about regulatory reform, I am concerned that federal services supporting critical maritime transportation activities may face excessive cuts. As government programs are being evaluated for reductions, I am left with questions about which services my business can rely on.
For example, will already strained Coast Guard resources be diverted to border patrol and other security related missions? Will the Coast Guard be able to properly maintain aids to navigation? Are traditional Coast Guard inspections in jeopardy? If so, what is the industry’s role in sustaining comprehensive domestic marine risk management programs?
The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) is considering this very question. PVA members have been inspected by the Coast Guard for more than 50 years, and we have grown to value this relationship. At the same time, PVA has developed a Coast Guard-accepted safety management system, Flagship, that can be quickly and easily implemented by passenger vessel operators to efficiently administer risk management programs should Coast Guard inspection resources be curtailed.
In fact, when using Flagship, vessel operators can expect to improve safety and risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency. As a result, PVA is hopeful that the Coast Guard will recognize Flagship as an independent supplement to regular Coast Guard inspections, helping to preserve valuable Coast Guard resources.
While there is value in cutting fat, waste, and certainly regulation, there is tremendous risk in indiscriminately cutting government services and programs to critical industries segments such as the U.S. maritime transportation sector and to the mariners serving therein. I hope the administration will resist the temptation to focus solely on short-term budget cutting and take a long-term approach to reform.
