Coast Guard Updates Guidance on Mandatory Reporting of Sexual Misconduct. The Coast Guard has updated its guidance on reporting sexual misconduct on vessels to reflect new statutory requirements that require the owner, master, or managing operator of a U.S. flag vessel to report any complaint or incident of sexual harassment that violates company policy to the Coast Guard. MSIB-01-23 Reporting Sexual Misconduct on U.S. Vessels details three ways to satisfy the reporting requirements of46 USC § 10104(a):

1. Use the Coast Guard Investigate Service’s CGIS Tips App;
2. Email the Coast Guard Investigative Service at CGISTIPS@uscg.mil; or
3. Call the National Command Center at 202-327-2100.

AWO President Discusses the Year Ahead with American Journal of Transportation. AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter recently shared her insights on offshore wind opportunities, mariner recruitment, and other pressing topics with the American Journal of Transportation. Jennifer discussed the need for developers to consider the Jones Act in their plans, emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry, and highlighted AWO’s newly-adopted sustainability agenda.

New AMP Podcast Tackles the Jones Act and Energy Issues. On the latest episode of the American Maritime Podcast, AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter welcomed Sam Norton, President & CEO of the Overseas Shipholding Group. They discussed the fuel situation in New England, global disruptions in the energy markets, and American maritime’s role.

Join American Maritime Voices and Help Our Industry Support the Jones Act! Having a strong, nationwide network of domestic maritime industry supporters is critical to growing support for the Jones Act and defeating attempts to weaken or repeal it. To grow this grassroots network, AWO and other maritime organizations have partnered to create American Maritime Voices. American Maritime Voices aims to educate supporters about the maritime industry and developments in Congress and across the nation.

Help grow this network of Jones Act support! Check out the latest edition of The Voice newsletter, join American Maritime Voices for free here, and encourage your teammates and employees to sign up using the QR code below.

Online AWO Resource Library is Live! AWO’s online education library is live on our website! Search by type of resource, topic, or date, and easily share with your employees and colleagues using the share buttons for each resource. Most resources do not require a member login to access, and you can view the library on your computer or the AWO mobile app. Remember to check back often as we continue to add more resources!

Coast Guard Accepting Nominations for Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Award. The biennial Rear Admiral Richard E. Bennis Award for Excellence in Maritime Security recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions of the maritime community in implementing Maritime Transportation Security Act requirements and other maritime security best practices to safeguard the nation's marine transportation system. Any marine transportation-related organization owning, operating, or managing vessels, facilities, fleeting areas or other entities engaged in maritime operations subject to Coast Guard maritime security regulations from January 2021 through December 2022 is eligible. Award categories include company of the year for small businesses, company of the year for large businesses, port authority of the year, and facility of the year. Nominations will be accepted until March 31. Questions can be directed to Mr. Ryan F. Owens and more information may be found here.

AWO PAC CORNER

AWO and Inside Elections. AWO has once again partnered with Inside Elections for a special edition, featuring insights on the upcoming 2024 election cycle.

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.

SOCP Hosting Maritime Autonomous Ship Symposium in April. On April 25-26, the Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) will bring together government officials, industry, and labor at the Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) in Linthicum Heights, MD. Key topics will include regulatory insights, field operations, international and domestic governance, and technology. Full symposium details are available here.

AWO Strategic Plan Updated with 2023 Deliverables. AWO’s member-developed, Board-approved 2022-2024 strategic plan guides us on our journey of continuous improvement as the tugboat, towboat and barge industry’s advocate, resource, and united voice for safe, sustainable, and efficient transportation on America’s waterways, oceans, and coasts. Check out the plan, updated with 2023 deliverables that build on last year’s work and move us forward toward our 2024 milestones and long-term goals, on the AWO website.

Join Us for the Spring Convention & Barge-In. Registration is open! Join AWO and your industry peers in Washington, D.C. this May for AWO’s marquee event of the year. Register now on your Member Dashboard or through the AWO App.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available for Spring Convention. AWO is seeking sponsors for our Spring Convention. Sponsoring an AWO event offers a unique opportunity to promote your organization while demonstrating your commitment to the tugboat, towboat and barge industry.

Please refer to the Sponsorship Prospectus to view the opportunities, costs, and benefits of sponsorship. To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please contact Caitlin Clark at cclark@americanwaterways.com.