Shared Waterways

Overview
Speaker(s)

Captain Jones provides an overview of some of the challenges of operating a passenger vessel on a heavily congested waterway – the three rivers area of Pittsburgh. (Note: Conference Attendees travel on the Gateway Clipper Tuesday evening.)

A Guide for Multiple Use Waterway Management (Third Edition) will be introduced. The Guide is designed to improve understanding of and accessibility to tools needed to implement sound management processes on shared recreational waters, including the intersection of commercial traffic and recreational users. Produced under a USCG grant guided by a Steering Committee of experts, the electronic document includes direction for effective waterway management, policy development, and communication for public understanding of shared waterways challenges. Guide release is pending USCG's final approval.

Stephen Jones

Captain • Gateway Clipper Fleet

Stephen has worked at the Gateway Clipper Fleet in Pittsburgh, PA since 1987. He currently holds the position of Captain/Operations. Stephen currently has a 1600 Ton Masters License/Inland Waters, and also holds a Master of Towing Vessels/Inland Waters and Western Rivers. Stephen has been an active member of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) through the Gateway Clipper Fleet since 2008. He is a member of the PVA Safety and Security Committee from 2008-2017 and played an active role in the development of “Flagship” which is a Safety Management System for members of the Passenger Vessel Association.

Stephen is currently the Chairperson of the PVA Rivers Region (2013), the Chairperson of the PVA Regulatory Committee (2018), and a member of the PVA Board of Directors (2018). Stephen also holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration/Finance from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Pam Dillon

Staff Director

Paddlesports Trade Coalition

Pam is a Certified Association Executive currently serving as Paddlesports Trade Coalition staff under a service agreement with NASBLA. Pamela Dillon previously staffed the National Boating Education Standards Panel and the Education Committee. She co-authored the Third Edition of “The Guide for Multiple Use Waterway Management.” With her husband, Virgil Chambers, she is Program Co-Manager of the Inland Boat Operation and Marine Patrol Fundamentals Train-the-Trainer course and Methods of Instructor course under NASBLA’s Boat Operation and Training (BOAT) program.

Previously, Dillon served as boating law administrator for the state of Ohio, retiring in 2011 as chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft. Dillon served as executive director of the American Canoe Association from 2002-2007. In addition, Dillon served two terms as an appointed member of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council is a recipient of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service Award.