b'PVA WORKING FOR YOUcontinues its social and print media public safety campaign Know Before You Go encouraging individuals to ask to see the captains credentials, and the vessels certificate of inspection, as well as ensuring they have ample life jackets aboard for passengers before they board the vessel.The Coast Guard messaging is, If there is any doubt, dont go. The risk of putting your family and friends in the hands of an unlicensed operator can be dangerous and potentially fatal.How You Can Help You and your crew know the local waterfront and see the activities there first-hand. You can help by reporting any suspected illegal charters to thePVA was one of many organizations to testify before the U.S. House Committee on Coast Guard and Marine Coast Guard for further investiga- Transportation in 2019.Credit: Passenger Vessel Associationtion. The website www.illegalcharters.com was created by PVA members inon domestic passenger vessels byCombating the proliferation of partnership with the Coast Guard tostrongly supporting and adequate- illegal passenger vessel charters is an help facilitate this.On this websitely funding and staffing the existingimportant component of the Coast you will find an online reporting formCoast Guard Marine Safety Mission.Guards safety mission.nthat provides you with a checklist to document as much information as possible for you to submit to your local Coast Guard documenting your ob-servation of a suspected illegal vessel operation, rental or charter.Take pictures as well.Including as much evidence of the suspected vessel in operation, such as photo or video evidence, is helpful for the Coast Guard investigation.This website also provides a list of what to look for, common characteristics, which could be no USCG inspection sticker but there is a uniformed captain or crew on board, or there is a catering and/or bar set-up on the vessel.PVA Supporting the CoastGuards EffortsPVA appreciates and supports the Coast Guards combating of illegal charters. For years, PVA has advocated on behalf of the Coast Guards capacity to protect public safety in this way. Last year, Colleen Stephens, 2020 PVA President, spoke at a hearing before the U.S. House Committee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation. In her remarks on the subject she said, Congress can best support safety JULY 2020FOGHORN 29'