| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Anne Davis Burns |
| January 27, 2000 |
(703) 841-9300 |
"TOWING THE LINE" ON SAFETY
An Open Letter to Congress
The American Waterways Operators (AWO), the national trade association
for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, is "barging" into the
21st Century with a sharpened focus and an invigorated commitment
to safety.
1999 was a big year for AWO. It marked the unprecedented decision
by AWO members to become the only national transportation group
to require, as a condition of membership, that all of our members
achieve third-party audited compliance with a safety and environmental
protection regime -- the AWO Responsible Carrier Program -- by January
1, 2000. This is the most significant milestone in the 55-year history
of our association.
The AWO Responsible Carrier Program is an award-winning, U.S. Coast
Guard-recognized code of safety practice that encompasses every
aspect of fleet operations. The program was designed to complement
and build upon existing government regulations, requiring company
safety standards that exceed those required by federal law or regulation.
AWO can now officially announce the industry-wide results of our
Responsible Carrier Program compliance efforts. By January 1, more
than 99% of the vessels operated by AWO members met the program's
tough safety and environmental standards. Unfortunately, not all
vessels met these standards, and we have terminated 11 members for
noncompliance with the Responsible Carrier Program. That's a tremendous
loss to our association, but it's a loss we are willing to endure
to demonstrate that we will not compromise when it comes to safety.
As the nation embarks on a new century, AWO is entering a new
era of safety leadership. Our new strategic plan, AWO 21, charts
our course as the tugboat, towboat and barge industry continues
to provide efficient, safe, and environmentally-benign marine transportation
for America's goods.
We just wanted you to know we're towing the line on safety.
THE AMERICAN WATERWAYS OPERATORS
America's Tugboat, Towboat and Barge Industry
Our Compass Always Points To Safety
www.americanwaterways.com
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AWO is the leading national advocate for the tugboat, towboat,
and barge industry.
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