Passenger Vessel Association hires regulatory affairs chiefPassenger Vessel Association hires regulatory affairs chief

'Eric is very familiar with the passenger vessel industry and with PVA member operations. This knowledge and experience will immediately enhance the service and benefits that our members receive,' PVA executive director John Groundwater said.

Christensen spent 26 years in USCG, exclusively within the marine safety program. His field assignments included stints in San Francisco, Portland (Ore.), Chicago, New York and Washington, DC, in a variety of leadership positions. Most recently he was chief of the traveling inspection staff.

Christensen also played an integral role in several crucial regulations including the development of the Final Rule for Small Passenger Vessel Inspection (Subchapters T and K), International Safety Management Code Compliance Policy for Small Passenger Vessels and the Streamline Inspection Program.

A 1987 graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Christensen maintains his third assistant engineer's license for steam or motor vessels of unlimited horsepower (5th issue). He also earned a master of engineering degree from the University of Maryland in 2004.