AWO Member Working Groups & Task Forces

Established to review the navigation challenges of emerging Atlantic Coast alternative energy and other offshore development projects, as well as to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s efforts to establish an Atlantic Coast Fairway to preserve traditional towing vessel routes.

Established to develop and share best practices to ensure safe and sustainable tugboat and barge operations in Arctic and near-Arctic environments.

Gives guidance on legal issues affecting the towing industry, including assessments of whether AWO should become involved in a particular case as an amicus curiae or litigant.

Established to develop an industry-endorsed vision of environmental stewardship: the responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices. An actionable plan will be made available for AWO members to use and incorporate into their own environmental stewardship programs.

Works with the Coast Guard National Maritime Center (NMC) on matters pertaining to mariner credentialing, providing ideas and feedback to ensure the credentialing process maintains maximum efficiency and transparency.

The role of the RCP Standards Board is to make recommendations to the AWO Board of Directors on interpretations and changes to the RCP, the RCP audit process, oversight of AWOrecognized third-party organizations, and applications from organizations seeking to become AWO-recognized TPOs.

Established to formalize the Safety Committees’ interaction with the AWO Executive Committee and their integration and alignment with other AWO safety initiatives, as well as expanding the committees’ ability to prosecute safety work and serve the needs of committee members.

Established to serve as the AWO brain trust on security issues including TWIC, certain dangerous cargo transportation and reporting, and the AWO Alternative Security Program and International Vessel Security Plan.

Established to identify opportunities for social media content generation and audience expansion, and to coordinate social media activity between AWO and member companies as appropriate.

Constituted by the Safety Committees to identify general and personal safety issues (such as facility access/egress problems, tank barge emissions best practices, managing heat stress, and fatigue management practices for tankermen) affecting liquid tankermen and their dry cargo counterparts and develop appropriate solutions.

Provides ongoing feedback to AWO, the Coast Guard and federal advisory committees regarding the implementation of Subchapter M.

Developed the AWO Vessel General Permit Recommended Practice Guide. Provides advice on issues related to vessel discharge and ballast water regulation.

Provides leadership and direction to the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership in the Atlantic Region.

Provides leadership and direction to Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership at the national level.

Developing best practices for cyber risk management tailored to the tugboat, towboat and barge industry.

Provides leadership and direction to the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership in the Eighth Coast Guard District.

Provides leadership and direction to the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership in the Pacific Region.