AWO Promotes Recreational Boater Safety on Multiuse Waterways

AWO's Recreational Boater Safety Working Group is spreading the word about recreational boater safety on America's waterways through eye-catching stickers, social media campaigns, and partnerships with boater safety organizations and harbor safety committees, among other things. Commercial vessels face a variety of challenges when navigating congested waterways, including blind spots and maneuverability limitations, and recreational boaters may not be aware of some of these dangers.

 

The Working Group is also sharing this important message at speaking engagements, including a presentation at the National Harbor Safety Committee Conference in March, the upcoming AWO Safety Committees' Summer Meeting on August 14-15 in Chicago, and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Conference scheduled for September 17-19 in New Orleans. These forums allow professional mariners, educators, and regulators to speak with the recreational boating community about navigation rules that may not be well known.

 

AWO's international partners at Platform Zero Incidents (PZI) have shared their recent resource "Safety Alert 24-36: Sail Together" which details similar safety tips for recreational boaters operating on Europe's commercial waterways.

 

To learn more about AWO's work or to join our efforts to ensure all boaters act safely on our waterways, please contact Michael Breslin.

 

AWO's Moveable Bridge Quality Action Team Needs Your Input

AWO's Moveable Bridge Quality Action Team is working with the Coast Guard to prevent bridge incidents by investigating and documenting issues encountered by our mariners when calling or transiting moveable bridges.

 

We are collecting information about bridge-related problems, including issues such as:

Please send your reports of events that match the above criteria to AWO using the AWO Bridge Event Recording Form or by sending an email to bridges@americanwaterways.com. Please be sure any emails include:

To learn more about this effort, please contact Liam Morcroft.

 

American Waterways HERO Award -- Nominate Your Crew to Recognize Heroic Acts

Our industry's mariners work tirelessly to ensure the smooth flow of commerce while safeguarding our nation's waterways. While the tugboat, towboat and barge industry is the safest mode of freight transportation, emergencies happen. In those crucial moments, our vessel crew members exemplify our industry-wide commitment to safety, leading first response and rescue efforts for their colleagues and their communities -- actions that can aptly be described as heroic. 

 

The American Waterways Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award recognizes these efforts, highlighting the heroism of our mariners and telling the story of AWO member company employees whose actions demonstrate selflessness, skill, and bravery. We need your help in identifying these heroic acts! Please acknowledge your employees' rescue efforts by submitting a nomination at americanwaterways.com/hero-award.

 

Qualifying events for the award include but are not limited to: rescuing commercial or recreational mariners, responding to a medical emergency onboard, recovering a person who has fallen overboard, responding to a person in distress while traveling to/from the boat, and other selfless service actions that reflect the safety culture of the American tugboat, towboat, and barge industry.

 

Awardees will receive a certificate of recognition for each vessel involved in the rescue, and each mariner will be issued a commemorative American Waterways HERO Award coin. Thanks to award sponsor 360 Coverage Pros & Berkley Offshore, mariners will also receive a one-year complimentary marine license and professional liability insurance policy.

 

Congratulations to this month's recipients of the American Waterways HERO Award:

 

 

 

To submit a nomination for the HERO Award or to learn more about the program, visit the HERO Award page on the AWO website.

Safety Professional Spotlight

Dan Wolf is the Safety and Compliance Manager for Northern Marine and Illinois & Michigan Oil, LLC (IMO) in Lemont, IL. In 2004, he was one of the first employees hired by IMO and began working part-time in their shipyard. As the company grew, Wolf rose through the ranks, supervising ballasting and de-ballasting operations to clear the Lemont Railroad Bridge, confined space entries, tank barge cleaning, and maintenance and repair, and liaising with the Coast Guard for regulatory inspections. Later, he became a licensed Tankerman-PIC, overseeing tank barge transfers at terminals and refineries across the Chicagoland area and Northwest Indiana. At the same time, he attended the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), graduating with a bachelor's degree. In 2013, Wolf accepted a full-time management position with IMO, a first for someone outside of the founding Egan family and continued to take on more responsibility -- serving as a Company Security Officer, Qualified Individual, seeing the company through Subchapter M and taking on the role of Designated Person Ashore. In 2020, he received an IMX Top 40 Under 40 Award. Wolf serves as a Board Member on both the Chicago Harbor Safety Committee and Calumet Area Safety and Navigation Committee and is active in several AWO working groups.

 

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

At Northern Marine our culture is the bedrock of our operations, significantly contributing to our safety record. We pride ourselves on being a third-generation, family-owned and operated regional company. Unlike large corporate organizations, we maintain a close-knit, supportive environment where we know each other personally. We even have some staff who learned about the value and opportunities that came with working in the maritime industry from their relatives and followed them into the industry. This familiar atmosphere ensures that communication is quick, transparent, and effective - which is crucial for safety. We are an interconnected team where everyone looks out for one another. This ensures our safety protocols are strictly followed and continuously improved.

 

We also champion an open-door policy, allowing employees to discuss safety concerns and suggestions for improvement with captains and shoreside management directly, without any fear of retribution. We communicate this to our most senior captains and junior deck crew alike and we actively work to break down communication barriers to continuously foster a culture of transparency and trust.

 

By focusing on the health and safety of each other, protecting our environment and our equipment, and ensuring we care for the community and the waterways where we live and work, Northen Marine exudes a commitment to safety. This is the key to our success - both in safety and in business.

 

Can you speak to a milestone or goal you've achieved recently in your safety program and discuss any new or continuing initiatives that Northern Marine is considering for the latter half of 2024?

Recently we achieved a significant milestone by transitioning from a traditional paper-based operation to a comprehensive digital system using TowWorks. This shift has revolutionized our fleet management - allowing us to track all equipment and vessels in the fleet from one central location - and streamlined the billing process. This enables us to be more efficient with every move made, saving both Northern Marine and our customers money.

 

Looking ahead to the latter half of 2024, we are committed to continuing to build these systems into our safety program, allowing us to trend information more accurately, track individual training progress, and ensure that every team member is adequately trained and has the proper licensure and experience for the vessel, route, and job they are working on. The digital system will also help us monitor maintenance schedules and conduct thorough inspections, further enhancing our operational safety.

 

In addition to our digital transition, Northern Marine is also looking at ways to improve the sustainability of our operations. We recently purchased an electric crane for our shipyard and are in the process of upgrading our fleet of crew change and service vehicles from diesel to electric drive. These changes will reduce our already low emissions as soon as the e-vehicles are in service, and it is the role of our management team to ensure we are prepared for these changes by providing the training, tools, and resources our employees need to perform maintenance and respond to emergencies on the new equipment.

 

These efforts are part of our broader strategy to reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest safety standard. To achieve these defined goals and identify other areas where we can improve, we must constantly examine our processes and programs to find ways to improve efficiency without increasing risk. By establishing training and support and communicating planned changes, we can reach these goals and continue our journey of constant improvement.

 

You have been highly successful in your maritime career! Can you share how you came to work in maritime and your advice for someone considering maritime transportation as a career?

My journey in the maritime industry began when I was 16 and began working a part-time summer job as a laborer in the shipyard. While studying at UIC I worked full-time to pay for school, training and getting certified as a tankerman. This experience ignited my passion for maritime operations and led to my decision to take a role in compliance at IMO, which would eventually become the sister company of Northern Marine.

 

I believe maritime transportation is unique. There are numerous opportunities for advancement on the boats, onshore, and in the many office and field roles that support vessels. For those considering a career in our industry my advice is to be open to exploring the different roles available to find what is most rewarding. The experience gained through trying a variety of jobs will increase knowledge of the industry while also providing the hands-on experience and understanding of the 'big picture' that is necessary for advancement in management roles.

 

At Northern Marine we value the development of talent from within our organization and encourage our employees to learn about all aspects of the industry. Whether starting on the vessels or shoreside, there are opportunities for growth and success at Northern and throughout the industry.

 

There has never been a more interesting time to be in maritime! Our industry is evolving with new technology that is changing the way we do everything from fueling to training to investigating incidents. With these changes there is a growing need for young, motivated individuals who are eager to learn. An individual with the right attitude and a willingness to embrace new challenges will find a career in maritime transportation that can be both fulfilling and enjoyable. As the industry continues to modernize, there are abundant opportunities for those who are passionate about making a difference and contributing to the safe and efficient movement of goods.

 

NTSB Investigation Report: Grounding of Articulated Tug and Barge Cingluku/Jungjuk

On May 25, 2023, at approximately 10:47 local time, the articulated tug and barge Cingluku (tugboat) and Jungjuk (barge) were navigating into Shakmanof Cove from Marmot Bay near Kodiak, Alaska, with six crew members on board. As they approached the entrance to the cove, the barge struck a charted submerged rock, causing damage to its steel hull. Fortunately, no pollution or injuries were reported, and the tugboat remained undamaged. The estimated cost to repair the barge was $1.47 million. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the grounding was the captain not identifying the rock on the displayed electronic navigation chart when planning the vessel's route, and encourages operators to ensure their crews are sufficiently trained in the use of their electronic chart system. To read the full report, visit the NTSB's website.

 

NTSB Publishes 2023 Safer Seas Digest

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published the Safer Seas Digest 2023, compiling key safety lessons from marine investigations completed in 2023, including incidents involving towing vessels and barges, such as:

You can read the full Safer Seas Digest 2023 online and find more information about each of the above listed events and other reports in the Marine Investigation section of the NTSB Website, For questions, please contact Michael Breslin.

OSHA Publishes Updates to Regulatory Agenda

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration published its Spring 2024 regulatory agenda on July 5, updating the progression of OSHA standards. OSHA occupational safety and health rules do not apply to mariners working aboard Coast Guard-inspected vessels due to OSHA's MOU with the Coast Guard; however, shipyard workers, shore-based maintenance personnel, and many other industrial workers that support the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry are subject to OSHA's authority. Updates that apply to these workers include:

For more tools and information related to heat injury prevention, visit:

 

Coast Guard Publishes 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report

The Coast Guard's Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance recently published the 2023 Flag State Control Domestic Annual Report, which highlights U.S. domestic fleet inspection, deficiency, and marine casualty statistics for inspected barges, cargo vessels, passenger vessels, offshore supply vessels, fishing vessels, and towing vessels. In 2023, the Coast Guard counted 4,869 inspected towing vessels and 4,919 inspected barges in the active domestic vessel population. The report demonstrates that the 2023 compliance performance of the inspected barge and towing vessel fleets was strong, stating that, of all vessel types, inspected barges had the lowest number of deficiencies per vessel, at 0.4, while inspected towing vessels had the second lowest, at 1.1. The inspected towing vessel fleet had the highest number of vessels involved in a reportable marine casualty, at 1,062, but only 22 percent of the fleet was involved in a reportable marine casualty, compared to 42 percent for cargo vessels. Inspected towing vessels also experienced the highest number of detentions among the segments, at 17, but had the third-lowest detention rate, at only 0.35%. Inspected barges had the lowest number and rate of detentions, at 1 and 0.02%, respectively.

 

Please reach out to Caitlyn Stewart with any questions.

 

BSEE Safety Alerts

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) issued Safety Alert 486, urging offshore workers to follow heat advisory guidelines to ensure safe operations and avoid heat-related illnesses. The safety alert references the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance for preventing heat illness, stressing the importance of staying vigilant for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and underscoring the importance of preventative measures such as staying hydrated and following a work-rest schedule to allow breaks and acclimatization to hot environments.

Check Out What's in Store at the AWO Safety Committees' Summer Meeting in Chicago

An impactful General Session is planned at the AWO Safety Committees' Summer Meeting. Scheduled for August 14-15 at the Loews Chicago Hotel, the event's theme, "Building a Safer Tomorrow, Today," underscores the importance of learning from past incidents to prevent future errors. This forum offers a unique opportunity to engage with industry peers, regulators, and safety and sustainability experts, to discuss the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry's ongoing journey of continuous safety improvement. Don't miss this chance to be part of the conversation and contribute to a safer future.

 

 

Contact Michael Breslin to learn more about the safety sessions or Caitlin Clark for registration questions.

 

Safety Statistics Reporting Program -- 2nd Quarter Statistics Due

Friendly reminder that your second quarter 2024 safety statistics were due July 30! Please visit the Safety Statistics Reporting Program Website to review the process and enter your data for the second quarter and any historical data that may be missing. Your submission is confidential and crucial to our industry's benchmarking, advocacy, and safety and sustainability initiatives.

 

For more information about the SSRP, please contact Michael Breslin.

 

JVAT Offers AWO Members an Opportunity to Participate in Mental Fitness Risk Identification Program

Following a well-received presentation at the AWO Safety Committees' Winter Meeting in New Orleans, AWO and Paul Graham, the Vice President of JVAT, have discussed ways for the industry to participate in a systematic examination of the factors that can contribute to a decline in maritime workers' mental fitness. JVAT is now seeking 5 interested companies to participate in a complimentary mental fitness risk identification program to garner insights on mental fitness challenges and opportunities specific to the tugboat, towboat and barge industry. 

 

Paul explains that many organizations pride themselves on having a strong culture of praise and recognition (P&R) in the workforce, recognizing its significant contribution to increasing workforce engagement. Yet, Paul notes, "67% of Americans say they don't always feel appreciated for their contributions at work, and 42% feel their company lacks a strong culture of appreciation." Lack of appreciation can have a significant negative impact on job satisfaction and lead to psychological strain, burnout, and turnover.

 

Paul highlights the difference between praise, which is aimed at a group, and recognition, which is specific to an individual. He explains that "while praise can boost self-esteem and motivate a team, it can sometimes be seen as insincere." Recognition, on the other hand, "takes time and effort, showing that leadership is aware and cares about the work being done."

 

The JVAT Thrive Mental Fitness program measures P&R as one of 20 causal factors and provides organizations with risk-based action plans to optimize and sustain performance. JVAT has provided a 13-minute program overview video that showcases their data-driven approach and the importance of targeted solutions.

 

To learn more about this program and opportunity, please contact Michael Breslin by August 15.