2024 Winter Safety Committees' Meeting Held in New Orleans

The AWO Interregion and Coastal Safety Committees' Winter Meeting brought together nearly 300 members in New Orleans February 21-22 to discuss safety issues, hear from subject matter experts, and network with industry peers. Presenters shared their experience and knowledge on workplace wellness programs, wheelhouse leadership, Coast Guard data collection, oil spill prevention innovations, and more. Meeting presentations are now available for members on the AWO Resources Page.

 

AWO is grateful to all who attended and contributed to a successful meeting. Please save the date for our next Safety Committees' meeting August 14-16 in Chicago, IL. To learn more about the agenda or to share topic ideas, please email safety@americanwaterways.com.

 

High Value Near Misses Discussed at Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee Meeting

The Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee held its first meeting of 2024 during the Winter Safety Committees' Meeting, discussing work completed in 2023 and priorities for the year ahead. A leading initiative for 2024 is publication of a High Value Near Miss collection form that includes options for terminal and tankering related incidents to allow better tracking of near miss data trends. The group also considered updating AWO's Recommended Practices for Compliance with Environmental Regulations in the Tank Barge Stripping and Cleaning Process and reviewing tankermen's responses to a January survey that asked for input on improvements for tank barge design, construction, loading and unloading monitoring equipment, and other issues.

 

To learn more about this committee or to join, please contact mbreslin@americanwaterways.com.

 

Safety Professional Spotlight

 

Andrew Ghiglia serves as the Manager of Safety and Health for Crowley Petroleum Services. Hailing from Arroyo Grande, CA, Andrew graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 2006 and began his career working on offshore supply vessels out of Fourchon, LA, where he obtained a Designated Person certification prior to working on drill ships. He moved shoreside in 2016, joined Crowley in 2017 and now resides in Jacksonville, FL.

 

Can you talk about Crowley's culture and share an example of how it contributes to your safe operations?

At Crowley, safety is at the forefront of everything we do, and every employee plays a vital role in reinforcing this. For instance, at the beginning of each meeting or shift, we hold what we call a Crowley Safety Moment, empowering employees to share concerns, ideas or tips to continue to support the company's commitment to safety.

 

Crowley also continues to focus on improving safety culture by strategically implementing the principles of Human Organizational Performance (HOP), both shoreside and with our mariners. This provides the framework to prevent, examine and learn from incidents instead of placing blame. It fosters trust with our mariners and helps to bridge the gap between ship and shore, and streamlines learning while opening doors to safer and better ways of doing things.

 

Can you share some milestones you achieved with Crowley's safety program in 2023 and discuss any new or continuing initiatives Crowley is considering in 2024?

In 2023, Crowley achieved significant milestones in our safety program. We initiated an internal HOP taskforce aimed at promoting and embedding HOP principles throughout our culture. This involved delivering HOP training to shoreside employees and developing HOP coaches and Learning Team facilitators to enhance knowledge consistently across all business lines within our shipping business unit. The task force marks a substantial step in advancing our safety culture. In 2023, Crowley was again recognized by the Chamber of Shipping of America, with 90 of our owned or managed vessels being awarded their Jones F. Devlin Awards for operational safety -- totaling 523 cumulative years of accident-free service.

 

We also continue to prioritize technological advancements such as installing Starlink on vessels. The high-speed internet capabilities enhance information sharing through platforms like Microsoft Teams. By leveraging technology, we reduce administrative burden, allowing crews to focus more on critical job aspects. Looking ahead to 2024, Crowley continues to prioritize safety by recognizing good use of Stop Work Authority and sustained efforts in enhancing our safety culture maturity.

 

You have been highly successful in your maritime career! Can you share the story of how you came to the maritime industry, and do you have advice for someone who is considering maritime transportation as a career?

My journey into the maritime industry was unexpected. It began when I attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to play football. The prospect of working six months a year, earning a good salary, and exploring the world enticed me. After graduating in 2006, I started sailing with a third mate license on supply vessels in Port Fourchon and concluded my sailing career on drill ships.

 

For those considering a maritime career, don't be daunted by the endorsement process. Research different paths with the various unions, who can assist in starting your career and supporting ongoing education. The key is to start, get your foot in the door, complete required training and testing, and utilize resources such as associations, publications and unions for guidance. The maritime industry offers diverse opportunities -- seize them with determination.

 

National Harbor Safety Committee Meeting to be held in Chicago in March

The 19th Biennial National Harbor Safety Committee Conference will be hosted by the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee on March 20-21 at Chicago's Navy Pier. The meeting brings together waterways stakeholders from the private sector, government agencies, and academia to discuss issues important to the safety and efficiency of the Marine Transportation System. This year's program includes a keynote address by Coast Guard Deputy Commandant for Operations VADM Peter Gautier; a discussion on Near Miss collection that will feature Harbor Safety Committee chairs from across the country, AWO, and the Maritime Administration; presentation of the annual Distinguished Harbor Safety Committee Award; and many more interactive panel sessions.

 

To learn more or to register, visit https://www.chicagoharborsafety.org/nhsc2024

 

Oil Companies International Marine Forum and AWO Partner to Work on SIRE Program Inspection Updates

The AWO BPQ and BIQ Advisory working group, or ABBA, has begun work supporting the AWO-OCIMF partnership's work on an update to the SIRE Program inspection particulars and guidance. ABBA will advise and inform AWO and OCIMF representatives as they work through an OCIMF-led working group to update checklists for the SIRE Program. The inaugural meeting of the ABBA group was held on March 1 to prepare for the first meeting of the OCIMF-led working group, which will meet in person on March 15-16 in Houston, TX. In the OCIMF-led group, AWO will be represented by Jamie Bigbie of Southern Devall, who chairs the AWO Interregion Safety Committee, and Jim Peschel of Vane Line Bunkering, who chairs the AWO Coastal Safety Committee.

 

To learn more about this work, please contact Leah Harnish.

 

Distracted Operations Subcommittee Presents Final Report at Winter Safety Committees' Meeting

Distracted Operations Subcommittee co-chair Angie Fay of Blessey Marine presented the Distracted Operations Subcommittee Report, which includes best practices for preventing distractions or mitigating their effects on vessel crew members. Broken into three categories, the report includes guidance for establishing a sterile wheelhouse policy, best practices for preventing distractions for new mariners, and best practices for shoreside communication to vessels. The report concludes with targeted survey reseponses which informed the committee's work. Members can access the report on the AWO Resources website. For any questions or feedback, please contact Mike Breslin.

 

 

American Waterways HERO Award Winners -- January - February 2024

The American Waterways Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award recognizes rescues undertaken by AWO member company employees that demonstrate selflessness, skill, and bravery. AWO is honored to recognize mariners for the great things they are doing every day to protect themselves, fellow crew members, the environment, and the communities in which they operate.

AWO is excited to present winners of the Award with a valuable benefit: 360 Coverage Pros and Berkley Offshore is sponsoring a one-year complimentary Marine License & Professional Liability Insurance policy, which will be offered to all crew members recognized with the award. Details about how to submit a nomination for the American Waterways HERO Award and the submission form can be found on the AWO website.

 

Please help us thank and shine a spotlight on our industry's heroic mariners by sending in a nomination! Congratulations to these recent recipients of the American Waterways HERO Award:

 

 

 

AWO High Potential Learning Value Near Miss

Near Miss and Stop Work events are leading indicators that provide vessel operators with an opportunity to identify and address weaknesses in a safety management system before a hazardous condition or lack of procedure contributes to an injury or incident.

We are highlighting recent High Potential Learning Value Near Misses submitted voluntarily by AWO members. To submit your own Near Miss or Stop Work event, please use this form. To see all published High Value Near Misses, please visit the AWO Resources website: https://www.americanwaterways.com/resources.

 

MEMBER-SUBMITTED NEAR MISS 24-02: Safe Speed Running Astern During Assist Boat Operations

 

SSRP -- We Need Your Input!

The value of AWO's Safety Statistics Reporting Program depends on the full participation of all eligible members. This includes carrier members who employ or are responsible for vessel crews in their operations. Please visit the Safety Statistics Reporting Program website and enter your data for the fourth quarter of 2023, as well as any historical data that may be missing. Your submission is confidential and crucial to our industry's benchmarking, advocacy, and safety and sustainability initiatives. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Breslin.

 

AWO Now Accepting Nominations for Tankering & Barge Operations Subcommittee Safety Award

AWO's Tankering & Barge Operations Subcommittee is dedicated to improving the safety of barge tankering operations through targeted initiatives that are identified by industry and informed by collaboration with stakeholders. It has been instrumental in raising awareness of best practices and advocating for innovative solutions to improve workplace safety for tankermen.

 

The Subcommittee is excited to announce it is now accepting nominations for its 2023-2024 Safety Award. AWO encourages all industry stakeholders to nominate individuals, organizations, companies, or facilities that have improved equipment, personnel, and/or processes to enhance safety of those involved in cargo transfer operations. All nominations should include a description of the specific improvement made and details about how it enhances tankerman safety. Examples of improvement areas include, but are not limited to: