As the President of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) for 2025, Captain Steve Jones has achieved several long-sought-after successes during his term. With a focus on regulatory relief, PVA has identified ten burdensome regulations that should be eliminated to reduce unnecessary federal regulatory burdens on members.
These efforts aim to promote a more favorable business climate and allow operators to make necessary capital improvements in vessels and facilities. The dinner boat and excursion vessel markets have experienced steady growth since COVID-19, and the ferry industry in most urban markets has rebounded with new vessel construction.
However, challenges such as increasing operating costs and tariffs are expected to impact the industry. PVA's priorities for 2026 include regulatory relief, legislative oversight, funding programs, mariner licensing improvements, cybersecurity training, and expansion of illegal charters enforcement.
The association has also released a new Cybersecurity Training Program to assist members meet the Coast Guard's regulatory cybersecurity training requirement by January 12, 2026. S.
Coast Guard spans over 50 years and promotes safety through open discussions on important passenger vessel issues.
With Captain Steve Jones' leadership, PVA is making significant strides in promoting regulatory relief and improving the overall business climate for its members. The association's efforts to eliminate burdensome regulations will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the industry's growth and competitiveness.
