For the second consecutive year, cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy are spending time on board tugboats and towboats this summer as part of a program under the auspices of the Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators (AWO) Safety Partnership. The Coast Guard Academy Cadet Towing Vessel Rider Program was established in February 2012 to educate cadets on the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry through a week or more of shoreside and onboard training.

This year’s program is off to a strong start, with AWO members Blessey Marine Services, Inc., Canal Barge Company, Inc., Foss Maritime Company, McAllister Towing, and Seabulk Towing, Inc., all hosting cadets for their training experience. The five companies will host 11 cadets in New Orleans, New York, Seattle and Tampa, an increase from last year’s program in which three companies hosted seven cadets.

“Prior to departing the Academy on their summer training programs, participating cadets attended an orientation course and spent two days learning about the nation’s waterways systems,” said LCDR Daniel Cost, Marine Safety Summer Training Coordinator at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. “At the conclusion of the class, the cadets felt comfortable with the industry and were also extremely excited to be getting the opportunity to partake in the program.”

Canal Barge recently hosted two cadets on a round-trip towboat ride from Vicksburg, MS, to New Orleans, LA. Tom Smith, Vice President-Human Resources at Canal, noted that “the program is a great way to continue to build the relationship between the industry and the Coast Guard. The cadets were able to attend our Tankermen Workshop to learn about tank barge cargo transfer operations. We're excited to see the program continue, and look forward to participating again next year." 

McAllister Towing Marine Personnel Manager CAPT Joe Alleyne also offered his views on the program, stating that it “lays the foundation for future growth between the Coast Guard and the maritime community.”

“We could not be more pleased with the program’s direction,” said Jennifer Carpenter, AWO’s Senior Vice President – National Advocacy. “We hope to continue to expand the program to give cadets more exposure to and experience in the industry, and the level of interest from both the companies and the cadets is very encouraging.”