Coast Guard Commandant Relieved of Command. Following President Trump's inauguration on January 20, Admiral Linda Fagan was relieved of command by the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Benjamine Huffman. Admiral Kevin Lunday, previously the Vice Commandant, will serve as Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard until a permanent replacement is named.

 

Admiral Fagan spent much of her Coast Guard career in marine safety roles and worked with AWO and its members in her previous positions as a marine inspector in Puget Sound, Mobile, and New Orleans; as Commander of Sector New York, the First District, and the Pacific Area; and as Deputy Commandant for Operations and Vice Commandant. AWO has also worked with Admiral Lunday in his previous role as Commander of the Atlantic Area.

 

AWO thanks Admiral Fagan for her many years of service and looks forward to continued partnership with Admiral Lunday.

DHS Terminates Current Membership of Federal Advisory Committees. In a recent memo, the Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directed the termination of all current memberships on federal advisory committees within the DHS. This directive applies to all Coast Guard advisory committees including the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee, National Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee, and National Maritime Security Advisory Committee. AWO is working to understand DHS's anticipated next steps for these committees and will work with the new administration to demonstrate the value of advisory committees as resources to the Coast Guard that support more effective maritime safety and security decision-making through industry insights and real-world experience.

119th Congress Brings New Committee Leadership. New congressional committee and subcommittee chairs have been announced over the past two weeks. Notable appointments include Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) taking the gavels of the Senate Commerce and Environment and Public Works Committees, respectively, and Senator Dan Sullivan's (R-AK) appointment as chairman of the Oceans and Coast Guard subcommittee at Commerce.

 

In the House, Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) is staying on as Chairman of the Transportation Committee, with Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) taking over the gavel at the Coast Guard Subcommittee. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) was tapped to lead the Water Resources Subcommittee. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) was named by Speaker Johnson as the new chairwoman of the House Rules Committee.  

Nominee for DOT Secretary Voices Support for Jones Act. During his confirmation hearing to be Secretary of Transportation, former Rep. Sean Duffy unequivocally voiced support for the Jones Act when asked about the law by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Following that exchange, the American Maritime Partnership sent a letter signed by AMP President Jennifer Carpenter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) supporting Rep. Duffy's nomination.

ICYMI: President Trump Shares Pro-Jones Act Op-ed on Social Media. On Truth Social, President Trump recently shared an op-ed published by political commentator Julio Rivera on American Thinker, in which Rivera discusses the national, economic, and homeland security importance of the law. Rivera observes: "The re-election of Trump signals a continued commitment to the Jones Act, supporting a uniquely American industry that spans jobs, innovation, and security." You can read the entire piece here.

Coast Guard Publishes Final Cybersecurity Rulemaking. The Coast Guard has published its final rule establishing minimum cybersecurity requirements for vessels and facilities required to have a security plan under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA). The rule requires affected vessel and facility owners and operators to designate a Cybersecurity Officer and create a comprehensive cybersecurity plan. The rule also outlines required training, testing, and reporting procedures for MTSA-regulated entities.

 

The final rule includes several changes recommended by AWO based on feedback from our member Cybersecurity Working Group, including: allowing the use of an Alternative Security Program to meet the cybersecurity plan requirements; extended implementation timelines; and a risk-based approach incorporating a cybersecurity assessment prior to the development of a cybersecurity plan, which can be used to obtain waivers or equivalencies from the regulatory requirements.

 

AWO will convene our Cybersecurity Working Group again soon to discuss the rulemaking and the opportunity to comment on a potential 2-5-year implementation delay for the requirements of this rulemaking for U.S.-flag vessels.

 

The rulemaking is effective July 16, 2025, with longer implementation time frames for specific provisions. Please contact Liam Morcroft with any questions.

EPA Grants Partial Waiver to CARB for Commercial Harbor Craft Rule. In the last weeks of the Biden Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency partially approved the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) waiver request to enforce amendments to the state's Commercial Harbor Craft (CHC) rule pursuant to the Clean Air Act. The CHC rule creates new emission standards and compliance dates, which differ depending on vessel category and engine-model year.

 

In its decision document, EPA granted a partial authorization for California to enforce the 2022 CHC amendments, with the exception of standards for in-use engines and vessels that would apply after the expiration of the feasibility extensions under section E3 of the rule, when an engine or diesel particulate filter is not feasible and the owner cannot afford vessel replacement. EPA cited commentary from AWO and AWO members throughout the document.

 

AWO is working with members and CARB to understand the impact of the partial approval on member operations and will direct its ongoing advocacy with the state and federal government accordingly. For further information, please contact Lillie Wightman.

USCG Issues Regulations to Support Credentialing System Transformation. The Coast Guard recently issued a final rule implementing several regulatory changes necessary for the development of Navita, the future mariner credentialing system that will improve efficiency, communication, and customer service. Those changes include:

AWO broadly supported these changes as a foundational step toward the creation of a new, modern mariner credentialing information technology system that will better support mariners and vessel operators.

AWO President & CEO Interviewed by American Journal of Transportation. The American Journal of Transportation recently interviewed Jennifer Carpenter to discuss a wide range of important issues affecting the tugboat, towboat and barge industry. The video interview covered the outlook for the Jones Act, the introduction of the bipartisan SHIPS Act, the recently-passed WRDA bill and what it means for inland waterways infrastructure, AWO's priorities for the Coast Guard in the new year, and much more. You can watch the interview here.

ICYMI: Mariner Workforce Forum with NMC Staff Recording Available. In AWO's most recent Mariner Workforce Forum: Credential Application Processes from A to Z, leadership and staff from the National Maritime Center walked through the complete application processes for merchant mariner credentials and medical certificates, provided updates on new communication and submission options, and shared tips and best practices for minimizing errors and speeding processing times. If you missed the webinar, AWO members can access the recording and slides here.

AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO PAC has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition, featuring insights into 2026 Senate races and more.

AWO PAC is the connected political action committee for The American Waterways Operators and serves as the trade association's separate segregated fund. As a trade association, AWO is prohibited from using general treasury funds or membership dues to make federal contributions. AWO is one of the most effective advocacy associations in Washington, DC, and relies on voluntary personal contributions to fund AWO PAC.

 

AWO PAC supports federal candidates who are champions of the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry and who are leaders on issues important to our industry. AWO PAC is dedicated to protecting AWO members' investments in the safest, most environmentally responsible and most economical mode of freight transportation and safeguarding the integrity of the Jones Act to protect the bottom lines of our members.

 

AWO PAC may solicit contributions from individuals of a member company once the member representative gives AWO written prior approval.

NOAA Rescinds Proposed Amendments to Vessel Speed Rule. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) has rescinded proposed amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) vessel speed rule which would have expanded the applicability of vessel speed restrictions and placed onerous operational restrictions on impacted vessels. AWO is actively engaged with partner organizations to explore new technologies to enhance conservation efforts without compromising vessel safety. For more information, click here, and feel free to contact Liam Morcroft with any questions.

AWO Partners with Marine Log for Tugs, Towboats and Barges Conference. AWO has partnered with Marine Log for its 2025 Tugs, Towboats and Barges Conference, which will feature AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter as the keynote speaker. The conference is set for March 25-26 in Mobile, Alabama. AWO members are eligible for a 20% discount on admission. Early bird savings for Tugs, Towboats and Barges end February 7th. Register today to use AWO promo code TTBAWO on top of discounted rates. 

Join AWO at Our Annual Regional Meetings! The AWO Annual Regional Meetings are coming up fast! We hope you will join us at one of the events below:

 

ATLANTIC REGION ANNUAL MEETING

February 12, 2025

Sagamore Pendry

Baltimore, MD

 

COMBINED MIDWEST, OHIO VALLEY and SOUTHERN REGIONS ANNUAL MEETING and SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

February 19-20, 2025

W Nashville

Nashville, TN

ROOM BLOCK CLOSING TOMORROW, 1/28 -- CLICK HERE TO RESERVE

 

PACIFIC REGION ANNUAL MEETING

March 5-6, 2025

Hotel 1000

Seattle, WA