April 29, 2005
Volume 62, No. 9
Download Newsletter
(
PDF)
Association News
-
AWO Spring Convention Held in Washington
-
Oberstar Applauded for Longstanding Support of
Maritime Industry
-
Tom Allegretti Honored with Shepheard Award for
Achievement in Merchant Marine Safety
-
AWO Congressional "Barge-In" a Great
Success!
-
AWO Participates in Potomac River CleanUp
Agency Actions
-
TSAC Applications Due May 27
-
Lease Financing Rulemaking Withdrawn
-
Enforcement Guidance on Fire Suppression Systems
Available
Responsible
Carrier News
Regional Reports
-
Washington State Citizen Advisory Council Bill
Passes at 12th Hour
-
Navigating the Troubled Waters of Politics
-
Southern Region to Hold Summer Meeting
Association
News
AWO Spring Convention Held in Washington
Members Elect New Chairman; Conduct Capitol Hill "Barge-In;"
Determine 2005 Goals; Honor Congressman Oberstar; Participate in
Potomac River Clean Up
The American Waterways Operators held its annual
membership meeting and convened its Board of Directors at its April
19-22 Spring Convention. In connection with the Convention, AWO
members held their 3rd annual "Barge-In" on Capitol
Hill, and participated in a cleanup of the Potomac River (see stories,
pages 6-7.) The membership met in Common Issues Council, sector
committees and Public Affairs Committee meetings on Thursday, April
21. At the AWO Convention Reception that evening, AWO honored Congressman
Jim Oberstar (D-MN) for his steadfast support of the marine transporation
industry. (See story, page 3.) The Board met on Friday, when it
approved its national and regional priorities, reaffirmed its support
for a U.S. government and industry challenge to a Massachusetts
oil spill law, and heard reports on the AWO Political Action Committee's
fundraising plan for the 109th Congress and the implementation of
the AWO strategic plan, AWO 21. The Board also approved certain
changes to the AWO Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), and approved
the audit report for 2004. In a Strategic Dialogue session, the
Board discussed the evolution of the Responsible Carrier Program
and whether there was a need to enhance the program's credibility
even further than it currently stands, as the premier safety management
system for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry.
In the Common Issues Council on Thursday, AWO members
discussed a number of important industry issues, including Coast
Guard rulemaking on a towing vessel inspection program, maritime
security issues, a Jones Act citizen control initiative, the status
of the crew endurance management demonstration program, safety trends
in the industry, the Capital Construction Fund, and the 2005 agendas
and priorities for the AWO Safety Committees. A special discussion
session was also held, focused on the new U.S. Coast Guard licensing
system for towing vessel officers.
At the Membership Meeting on Friday, new directors
were enrolled from each region. New officers were also elected,
including Chairman of the Board Steven P. Valerius, President, Kirby
Inland Marine, LP; Vice Chairman of the Board Dale Sause, President,
Sause Bros.; President & CEO Thomas Allegretti; Secretary Vickie
Hammond; and Treasurer Lee Hill.
Leadership Remarks
Outgoing Chairman Highlights Successful Year
In his farewell address, outgoing Chairman of the
Board Ned Moran noted the "incredible year" that AWO
and the industry had achieved, including "the passage of historic
legislation authorizing the Coast Guard to establish a towing vessel
inspection program, making towing vessels an inspected class for
the first time ever." Mr. Moran acknowledged that more work
was needed "to ensure that this program will have at its core
a safety management system." He explained further, "The
facts show that we have made great strides in reducing oil spills,
crew fatalities and vessel casualties and this record is our best
friend as we convince the ‘powers that be' that our
view of the future, an inspection system with a safety management
system as its heart and soul, is the right way to proceed."
Mr. Moran pointed out that the National Transportation Safety Board
had recommended in its September 2000 report on the m/v Anne Holly
accident that all towing companies operate their vessels using an
approved safety management system. "By doing this,"
he said, "we will set the safety bar at the same high level
for all operators. AWO members can be so proud of proactively promoting
this initiative in order to enhance industry safety and security.
This is another example of the leadership that AWO members have
always demonstrated, and for which we are now widely known and respected."
Mr. Moran went on to note other major achievements
of the year, including obtaining relief from "the 4.3-cent
fuel tax that has plagued this industry." He observed that,
"The repeal of this tax is an important achievement that will
help to make the industry stronger, by releasing monies that can
now be reinvested in the industry itself."
Another objective Mr. Moran pointed out that had
been met in 2004 was the successful closing of the vessel lease
financing loophole in the Jones Act, calling it "an important
achievement and a significant signal from the Congress of its intent
to uphold the integrity of the Jones Act."
Mr. Moran also said that he was "pleased that
we were able to achieve a compromise with the shipyards that keeps
the CCF (Capital Construction Fund) program out of our domestic
trades." He asserted that, "Our markets would have been
harmed and distorted had these CCF funds been allowed to migrate
into our trades."
A significant accomplishment under Mr. Moran's
tenure was that of convincing U.S. government agencies of the value
of only contracting with towing companies operating under a safety
management system, like the AWO Responsible Carrier Program. He
commented, "We think it is important to the U.S. government
to demonstrate that it values a commitment to the safest and most
environmentally sensitive operations in its tugboat, towboat and
barge contractors and the record shows that government has agreed."
In conclusion, Mr. Moran said he believed that these
achievements "have helped to strengthen the industry, and
secured a brighter future for it." He thanked the membership,
saying, "I very much appreciate having been given the opportunity
to serve as Chairman."
New Chairman Pledges Focus on Inspection Regime Rulemaking
Incoming AWO Chairman Steve Valerius, in his remarks
to the Board, first paid tribute to outgoing Chairman Ned Moran
for his "truly great accomplishments" during his tenure,
culminating in "one of AWO's most productive years ever."
He praised Mr. Moran's "extraordinary ability to keep
us on course over the past year as AWO traveled into a new frontier."
Mr. Valerius further said, "The list of goals
achieved under Ned's leadership is very impressive."
He concluded, "Ned, you have worked tirelessly on the members'
behalf on these and many other efforts, and we owe you our sincere
gratitude."
Mr. Valerius then outlined his own vision and priorities
for his tenure. He specified the successful implementation of the
towing vessel inspection regime as "my most important priority
as Chairman."
He explained, "I see my role as Chairman largely
in terms of guiding this journey we have begun." Mr. Valerius
noted that "A number of factors have the potential to impact"
the inspection regime rulemaking and pledged "I will give
my undivided focus to the management of the process surrounding
this initiative." He asserted, "We need to reach the
end of this journey as soon as we can, having achieved a future
that will ensure greater industry safety, and enhance our industry's
value to our customers and to the nation."
Mr. Valerius then declared his intention to "stay
the course" with regard to the 2005 major goals and objectives
that had been identified by the Board of Directors. He highlighted
a few of those challenges as those on which he would particularly
focus his efforts, including the issue of modernizing and maintaining
the waterways transportation infrastructure. Mr. Valerius called
the working relationship between AWO and the Waterways Council,
Inc. (WCI) "a great one." He went on, "We should
continue to nurture that relationship and thereby strengthen our
efforts, while not duplicating them." Mr. Valerius pointed
out that AWO would be working with WCI to get authorization within
the Water Resources Development Act for the Upper Mississippi-Illinois
Waterway project. He addressed the issue of Corps of Engineers reform
by saying AWO
"will also be working with WCI to see that
‘Corps reform' is done in a way that doesn't prevent
needed projects from being studied, authorized, funded and completed."
He asserted, "The infrastructure challenges that face our
industry are many, and it is absolutely critical that we find solutions
in this Congress."
The new Chairman cited as another significant challenge
the lawsuit against the Commonwealth of Massachusetts "in
the wake of its enactment of illegal regulation that interferes
with federal jurisdiction over our industry." He pointed out
that AWO has petitioned to join the lawsuit filed by the U.S. Government,
and said, "We all have a stake in winning this lawsuit."
He encouraged the entire membership to support the effort, in order
to discourage similar actions by other states in the future.
As another near-term challenge, Mr. Valerius identified
the integrity of the Jones Act, pointing out that it was "not
exclusively a blue water issue; brown water operations also have
an investment in ensuring that it remains strong." He declared,
"I am fully supportive of closing loopholes in the Jones Act
that undermine the intent of Congress when they made it law."
He explained, "Our goal is a permanent fix."
Mr. Valerius encouraged AWO members to continue to
become involved in AWO's advocacy efforts and to contribute
to the AWO Political Action Committee, saying "A strong PAC
is very important to achieving success in our advocacy initiatives."
He pointed out that PAC support is "an investment in your
future."
Finally, the new Chairman thanked the Board for their
support. "I am honored by the trust you have placed in me.
I look forward to meeting the challenges ahead in the coming year.
Please communicate your ideas and concerns to me at any time."
He concluded by saying, "I look forward to completing my tenure
as Chairman with our industry's reputation strengthened even
more as leaders in safety, security and environmental protection."
President Outlines Successes, Challenges
In his report to the Board, AWO President Tom Allegretti first detailed
the "considerable" accomplishments of 2004, saying,
"In every one of the areas that we identified as important
to the industry at the beginning of the year, we ended the year
with genuine results." After providing specific examples,
he asserted, "All of these wins were real. They protected
the American character of our industry. They assured that we can
meet the nation's transportation needs and the public's
expectation of sound environmental performance. They removed tax
inequities and allowed the industry to reinvest its profits and
upgrade its assets. They precluded the distortion of our markets.
AWO had a great year in 2004."
Mr. Allegretti continued, "Beyond the public
policy achievements, there were other signposts of real success
last year. Consider these. Members engaged in our governance and
in our advocacy at extraordinary levels. Solid progress on our strategic
plan. New members of the staff who are worthy successors to their
capable predecessors and who help us build AWO's capacity
for the future. Substantial gains in new members and in new member
revenue. Achieving, indeed exceeding, our PAC fundraising goal for
the 108th Congress." He observed, "You can't compile
that record of success without an engaged membership, without sound
governance, without careful planning, without capable staff, and
without an organizational ethic that drives excellence in all facets
of our work."
Mr. Allegretti then addressed some of the challenges
facing the association. He began by addressing the strain being
placed on its human and organizational resources. He noted, "As
we move through 2005, we need to keep a close eye on this to ensure
that we have a proper balance between our organizational workload
and member expectations on the one hand, and our day-to-day resources
to get the job done on the other."
Another challenge Mr. Allegretti highlighted was
the Coast Guard rulemaking to bring towing vessels under Coast Guard
inspection. He reassured the Board and members that the AWO staff
"appreciate the level of member concern" about the initiative
and not wishing to "end up with regulations that unnecessarily
impede our industry's efficiency and productivity."
He pledged that "we will do everything that is necessary,
and exploit every resource at our disposal, to make sure that the
rule ultimately published by the Coast Guard is one that is true
to the vision of the Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership of a modern,
21st century towing vessel inspection regime."
Next, Mr. Allegretti outlined the challenge of taking
AWO to the next level of excellence. He stated, "I do believe
that AWO is today an excellent -- not perfect -- organization. I
also know that excellent organizations maintain excellent performance
by not being complacent, but by continually asking themselves how
they can get better and where they must get better." He described
the challenge of determining how to get to the next level "in
an organization already operating at full capacity." He then
identified specific areas of future work on which the association
staff intends to focus. Mr. Allegretti summarized, "We are
in a great place today, surely with significant challenges before
us, but entirely up to the task."
Special Recognition Presentations
During the Board meeting, AWO President Tom Allegretti
was honored with the 2004 Shepheard Award (see story, page 4). The
award, which recognizes special contributions to the maritime industry
in the area of safety, was presented to Mr. Allegretti by Kathy
Metcalf, of the Chamber of Shipping of America.
Outgoing members of the Executive Committee were
also recognized for their service, including Vice Chairman of the
Board Steven P. Valerius, Immediate Past Chairman Craig Philip,
Ohio Valley Region Chairman William Stegbauer, Southern Region Chairman
Dave Hanby, Pacific Region Chairman George Clark, Inland Dry Sector
Chairman Keith Darling, and Inland Liquid Sector Chairman Walter
Blessey.
Also recognized for their service were outgoing members
of the RCP Accreditation Board Paul Book, American Commercial Barge
Line LLC and Stephen Zeringue, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc.
Oberstar Applauded for Longstanding Support of
Maritime Industry
On Thursday evening, April 21, in conjunction with
the AWO Spring Convention, Congressman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) was recognized
for his continued commitment to waterways transportation and the
tugboat, towboat and barge industry. AWO Chairman Ned Moran recognized
Congressman Oberstar, the Ranking Member on the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee as "a real friend of waterways
transportation." In fact, Congressman Oberstar has been recognized
worldwide as an expert in transportation issues and has received
numerous awards for his diligent work. In presenting the award,
Mr. Moran said, "With the support of policymakers like Congressman
Jim Oberstar, who have an understanding and appreciation for the
value of this industry to the nation, we can continue to work to
achieve our safety and environmental protection goals of zero gallons
spilled and zero crew fatalities. AWO members would like to take
this opportunity to thank him for all of his hard work to preserve
the waterways transportation system of America, a system which is
the envy of the world, and for his dedication to the safety and
vitality of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry."
Congressman Oberstar graciously thanked AWO for the
award. His remarks recounted the history of waterways transportation
in the country and their importance to our development as a nation.
Mr. Oberstar's comments drew applause at several occasions.
Notably, Congressman Oberstar repeated his support for quick passage
of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) in the 109th Congress.
Tom Allegretti Honored with Shepheard Award for
Achievement in Merchant Marine Safety
AWO President Tom Allegretti has been recognized
by the Chamber of Shipping of America with the 2004 Halert C. Shepheard
Award. The Shepheard Award was established in 1975 in honor of the
late RADM Shepheard, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard as Chief,
Office of Merchant Marine Safety. The award is presented for a single
outstanding contribution to merchant marine safety or for involvement
in maritime safety over a period of time. The award was presented
to Mr. Allegretti on Friday, April 22 at the AWO Board meeting during
the AWO Spring Convention.
Mr. Stephen Van Dyck, Chairman of the Board of Maritrans,
Inc. and Chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors said,
"The Chamber of Shipping of America is honored and pleased
to recognize Mr. Allegretti not only for his accomplishments but
also for his leadership in addressing issues which have led to significant
advances in the level of safety for inland vessels and personnel
serving on board. Mr. Allegretti has a well-deserved reputation
for dedication to the safety of the barge and towing industry. The
domestic maritime community has greatly benefited from his dedication
and leadership throughout his distinguished career."
Shortly after his death in 1975, the Board of Directors
of the Chamber of Shipping of America (at that time, the American
Institute of Merchant Shipping) established the Rear Admiral Halert
C. Shepheard Fund to support an award to an individual in recognition
of exceptional achievement toward merchant marine safety, the area
to which RADM Shepheard contributed greatly throughout his long
and distinguished professional life. Previous recipients of the
Shepheard Award include Joseph J. Angelo, RADM Robert C. North,
VADM James C. Card, and RADM William M. Benkert.
AWO Congressional "Barge-In" a Great
Success!
The third annual AWO Congressional "Barge-In"
held on
April 20 in Washington, D.C., was a great success! Congressman Kenny
Hulshof (R-MO), a longtime supporter and friend of the tugboat,
towboat and barge industry, kicked-off the "Barge-In"
with remarks highlighting the importance of the industry to the
nation's economy, environment and way of life. The Congressman energized
the AWO members in attendance and got them ready for their day on
Capitol Hill.
Following Congressman Hulshof's rallying speech,
AWO members received a briefing on the critical issues and messages
that would be the focus of congressional meetings throughout the
day including: the Water Resources Development Act, preserving adequate
navigational flows on the Missouri River, ensuring uniformity of
maritime regulation, U.S. citizen ownership and control of vessels
in the domestic trades, funding for waterway projects, and a 21st
century towing vessel inspection program.
After the issue briefing, AWO members were divided
into small groups accompanied by a member of the AWO staff, and
the groups proceeded to Capitol Hill for visits with Members of
Congress and their staffs. Each group made between three and six
visits during the day, spreading the industry's messages. In total,
just over 50 AWO members met with nearly 50 congressional offices!
Feedback from AWO members who participated in the
Congressional "Barge-In" was very positive. Overall,
members found the day very productive and considered it time well
spent. During a visit to Congressman Dave Reichert's office,
Lauren Todorovich, the Congressman Legislative Assistant, praised
AWO and the delegation by saying "Listening to AWO and its
members brought about a new appreciation for the maritime industry.
It's a pleasure to work with respected professionals such as AWO."
If you have questions, comments, or suggested improvements
for the "Barge-In," please contact Angela Madden at
(703) 841-9300 or amadden@vesselalliance.com. Special thanks to
all of the AWO members who arrived at the Spring Convention a day
early to attend the "Barge-In!"
AWO Participates in Potomac River CleanUp
AWO participated in the second annual "Capital
River Relief" cleanup of the Potomac River, in connection
with the AWO Spring Convention. The Capital River Relief cleanup,
which took place from April 1 to April 22, was organized by Chad
Pregracke, founder of the Living Lands & Waters (LL&W) organization,
which is dedicated to cleaning the nation's waterways. As
in 2004, AWO was one of the official sponsors of the project, and
AWO members and staff participated in a cleanup on Tuesday, April
19. Last year, over 40 tons of trash was removed from the Potomac
and Anacostia rivers by the projects' volunteers.
The Capital River Relief project brings together
a coalition of diverse groups, from environmental organizations,
to corporations, associations, and government, all with the unifying
goal of cleaning the rivers surrounding the nation's capital.
Thousands of volunteers for the project included local and national
celebrities, community groups, college students, members of associations,
corporate employees, Members of Congress and Capitol Hill staffers.
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert noted: "Capital River Relief
is a great project, not only because of its contributions to the
restoration and preservation of Washington's two most treasured
natural resources, the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, but also because
it encourages individual stewardship of our environment."
House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo said, "I
commend Chad Pregracke, Koch Industries and the Capital River Relief
team on the work they are doing to clean up DC's rivers. Capital
River Relief is a wonderful example of how industry and community-based
organizations can work together to improve our environment and preserve
our natural resources."
The following is an excerpt from Chad Pregracke's
"Weblog" about AWO's participation in the 2005
"Capital River Relief" project:
April 19: "Today we had a late afternoon
cleanup with 17 volunteers from the American Waterways Operators
(AWO), a group that sponsors LL&W. AWO is the leading advocate
for tugboat, towboat and barge industry and it was a treat for
the crew to work with them. We headed out to Oxen Cove to clean
up a really dirty area of the river before the AWO volunteers
had to go to a conference. (They actually flew in early to help
us out - what dedication!) By the end of the cleanup, we cleared
away about a ton of trash. Thanks to all our volunteers for a
great day!"
For more information on the project, go to www.capitalriverrelief.org.
To learn how to get involved with Chad and his organization, check
out www.livinglandsandwaters.org.
Important Dates and Reminders
-
May 4-5: TSAC Towing Vessel Inspection
Working Group meeting at the Arlington Hilton and Towers, 950
N. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA. The working group will meet
from 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. on May 4 and 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
on May 5. For more information, contact Jennifer Carpenter.
-
May 18-19: Coastal Safety Committee Meeting,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For more information, contact Kathy Rehak.
-
June 16: Inland Harbor Work Group Meeting,
3:00-5:00 p.m, Biloxi, MS. For more information, contact
Marilyn Clark.
-
June 16-17: Southern Region Meeting, Biloxi,
MS. For more information, contact Marilyn Clark.
-
August 17-18: Midwest and Ohio Valley Joint
Region Meeting, St. Louis, MO. A reception will be held on August
17. For more information, contact Lynn Muench at (314) 446-6474.
Agency
Actions
TSAC Applications Due May 27
The Coast Guard is seeking applications for membership
on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC), a congressionally
chartered advisory committee that advises the Coast Guard on matters
related to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation
and towing safety. TSAC is currently playing a critical role in
working with the Coast Guard to develop the forthcoming regulations
on towing vessel inspection.
The Coast Guard will accept applications until May
27 to fill two seats from the barge and towing industry, reflecting
a geographic balance; one position from port districts, port authorities,
or terminal operators; one position from maritime labor; and one
position from the general public. To be eligible, applicants should
have experience in towing operations, marine transportation, or
business operations associated with the towing or maritime industry.
TSAC members serve terms of up to four years and may serve consecutive
terms. TSAC meets twice a year as a full committee; TSAC working
groups meet as needed to address specific issues.
Prospective applicants can obtain an application
form by calling Mr. Jerry Miante, Assistant Executive Director of
TSAC, at (202) 267-0214, or by emailing a request to
gmiante@comdt.uscg.mil. A copy of the application form
is also available on the Coast Guard Web site at
www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/advisory/index.htm by clicking on "ACM
Application." Original completed and signed applications should
be sent to Commandant (G-MSO-1), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street,
SW, Washington, DC 20593-0001. AWO members with questions about
TSAC can contact Jennifer Carpenter or Amy Brandt at (703) 841-9300.
Lease Financing Rulemaking Withdrawn
The Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration (MARAD)
have withdrawn their joint notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
published in February 2004 because the NPRM has been superseded
by lease financing provisions in the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
Act of 2004 passed last August. The agencies plan to publish a new
NPRM that addresses the provisions of the new legislation.
The old NPRM, which was withdrawn on April 13, addressed
the documentation of vessels under the lease financing provisions
46 U.S.C. 12106(e) and sought to clarify differing interpretations
of the lease financing provisions. Since Congress intervened to
clarify these provisions, the need for this rulemaking was eliminated.
However, the new statute does not address the question of third-party
auditing of applications for coastwise endorsements; therefore,
this specific issue will be addressed in the forthcoming NPRM.
For a copy of the April 13 Federal Register notice,
contact Amy Brandt at abrandt@vesselalliance.com.
Enforcement Guidance on Fire Suppression Systems
Available
The Coast Guard has distributed enforcement guidance
to its field offices on the requirements for fire suppression systems
on towing vessels that take effect on April 29. (See March 4 AWO
Letter.) The guidance also outlines how Captains of the Port should
handle requests for exemptions and extensions.
Information on the regulatory requirements for fire
suppression equipment can be found on the Coast Guard's Web
site at
www.uscg.mil/HQ/G-M/MSE4/REGTOW.HTM. For a copy of the new enforcement
guidance, email Jennifer Carpenter or Amy Brandt at jcarpenter@vesselalliance.com
or abrandt@vesselalliance.com,
respectively.
Back
to Top
Responsible Carrier News
RCP Changes Approved
At the 2004 Fall Convention in San Diego, the AWO
Board of Directors endorsed the recommendations of the Responsible
Carrier Program Accreditation Board and Executive Committee that
AWO continue its tradition of proaction by identifying the changes
to the Responsible Carrier Program that will be needed to align
it with the new Coast Guard requirements that will be part of the
new Safety Regime. The Board of Directors established the goal of
ensuring that all AWO members will have incorporated these additional
regulatory elements by the time the Coast Guard regulation takes
effect. This will allow AWO members to be well ahead of the curve
in meeting the requirements of the new regulation.
Working to accomplish this goal, the AWO Board of
Directors, at its meeting on April 22, voted to approve the addition
of these six changes to the Responsible Carrier Program. A list
of these changes is included below and will become effective October
2005. Generally speaking, all companies complying with the RCP will
already have most of these items in their RCP programs and only
simple additions should be required.
Safety & Health Policies and Procedures
-
Acountability and Commitment to Safety
-
Confined Space Entry
-
Company Safety Rules (Including Painting in Enclosed
Spaces, Nonskid Surfaces, Flammable and Combustible Liquids)
-
Safe Use of Equipment (Including Welding/Cutting,
Hand Tool Safety, Safe Use of Ladders, Abrasive Wheel Machinery)
-
Reporting Safety Deficiencies/Nonconformities
-
Corrective Action Process
The Accreditation Board has developed specific language
that will add these elements to the Responsible Carrier Program.
It will also develop language for the RCP Audit Tool (Checklist)
and auditor guidance. The AWO safety committees will develop sample
policies and procedures to assist members in implementing the new
requirements.
If you have questions about the specifics of these
new requirements, please give Bob Clinton or Kathy Rehak a call
at (703) 841-9300.
Accreditation Board Sees Personnel Changes
At its recent Spring Convention, AWO recognized the
resignation of three members of the AWO Responsible Carrier Program
(RCP) Accreditation Board and the appointment of three new members.
Leaving the Board is Paul Book, American Commercial
Barge Line LLC., the Inland Liquid carrier representative. Paul
Book was one of the true "founding fathers" of the RCP
audit. Mr. Book began his work with the audit program as Chairman
of the Responsible Carrier Program Audit Task Force Technical Subcommittee.
Many members will recall that it was this group that originally
designed the Responsible Carrier Program audit. Mr. Book went on
from there to become one of the first members of the Accreditation
Board, ably representing the Inland Liquid Sector. Now that Mr.
Book has been recalled to focus exclusively on his duties at ACBL,
his insight and vast knowledge of the program, to say nothing of
his good nature and sense of humor, will be sorely missed.
Also stepping down is Deane Orr, CONSOL, Inc., Inland
Dry carrier representative. Mr. Orr's background as a former
boat captain and current job as General Manager gave the Board a
perspective that encompassed the full range of company operations
from the wheelhouse to the office. Finally, also departing is Stephen
Zeringue, SeaRiver Maritime, Inc.
Mr. Zeringue has been the Liquid Shipper representative
on the Accreditation Board since 2000. Significant accomplishments
of the Accreditation Board during Mr. Zeringue's tenure include
the development of new and more challenging training for auditors,
as well as a disciplinary policy and code of ethics for auditors.
Mr. Zeringue's dedication to the ideals of the program was
apparent from very early on in the development of the RCP audit.
Mr. Zeringue was always the member who reminded the Board of its
goal of maintaining the RCP as the premier safety management system
for the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry. Mr. Zeringue's
job as vetting manager for SeaRiver allowed him to share his insight
as an auditor and a customer, contributing greatly to the Board's
understanding of the Responsible Carrier Program's impact
in the real world.
The dedication of these individuals to the Responsible
Carrier Program will be missed. However, strong candidates, who
share the desire to maintain the Responsible Carrier Program as
the "gold standard" safety management system, have stepped
up to accept the challenge of moving the program forward. Succeeding
Messrs. Book, Orr and Zeringue are Brice Bond, Shell Trading, USA,
as the Liquid Shipper representative; Joe Tyson, Canal Barge Company,
as the Inland Liquid Carrier representative; and John Patterson,
Ingram Barge Company, as the Inland Dry Representative.
The next meeting of the Responsible Carrier Program
Accreditation Board will be held immediately following the Coastal
Safety Committee meeting on May 19-20. If you have any questions
about any elements of AWO's safety portfolio, please contact
Bob Clinton or Kathy Rehak at (703) 841-9300.
OCIMF SIRE Inspections Discussed at Convention
At the AWO Spring Convention, approximately 75 AWO
members attended a briefing on the imminent arrival in the United
States of Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) SIRE
(Ship Inspection Report Program) inspections of tugs and barges
involved in the oil and chemical trades. Attendees were welcomed
by Mr. Tim Casey, K-Sea Transportation Corp. and member of the AWO
Executive Committee, who introduced the purpose of the briefing,
explaining that AWO's goal is to learn more about the program,
how it will work for our industry, and how it will affect safety.
Mr. Casey went on to say that the members of AWO and the AWO Executive
Committee have become concerned that this new vetting program could
increase the workload of AWO members and our crews and slow operations
without delivering significant safety benefits. Mr. Casey said,
however, AWO is completely committed to improving safety throughout
the industry and as such, will support a program that truly improves
safety.
Next, Mr. Bob Clinton, AWO Vice President - Safety,
reviewed AWO's involvement with OCIMF and actions it has taken
to facilitate a dialogue between OCIMF, AWO members and their customers.
AWO has worked to express the concerns of members that SIRE inspections
may not reduce the number of redundant audits, that when the program
is rolled out, OCIMF will not have sufficient infrastructure in
place to provide inspections in a timely manner, and the fear that
the cost for these inspections may eventually be made the responsibility
of the carriers.
Following Mr. Clinton's remarks, attendees heard
a presentation by Capt. David Savage, SIRE Training & Development
Manager, who spoke about what SIRE is, how it will work, who will
be involved, and when it is set to begin.
Capt. Savage began his remarks by answering the question
of why OCIMF decided to begin this program for tugs and barges.
Capt. Savage explained that a series of major oil spills beginning
with the Amoco Cadiz in 1978, continuing through the Exxon Valdez
in 1989, and the Tanker Erika in 1999, convinced the major oil companies
that there was a need for a uniform inspection system for vessels
carrying petroleum and chemical products. Recent accidents, including
the spill in Buzzards Bay, convinced the oil companies that SIRE
inspections should be expanded to include tugs and barges. Capt.
Savage explained that the objective of the program for tugs and
barges is to meet the demand by OCIMF's members for a barge
inspection system that uses the existing SIRE model. In his view,
this model provides a self-regulated, respected, top quality industry
system that benefits all stakeholders, enhances barge and towing
vessel safety, and eliminates pollution. An additional benefit of
the program, in the view of OCIMF members, is that over time it
will help to eliminate substandard vessels.
The SIRE program maintains a database of vessel inspection
reports that use a uniform reporting format that addresses operational
safety and pollution prevention issues only. No indications of pass,
fail, rating or other assessment of vessel acceptability are provided.
Inspections are carried out by certified inspectors who must demonstrate
a high level of professional expertise.
Capt. Savage provided details of how the program works,
including: vessels to be inspected are agreed upon between the requesting
company and the operator on a voluntary basis, and the choice of
inspector is decided by the company requesting the audit. Capt.
Savage was careful to note that OCIMF has no involvement in the
choice of inspectors or payment for inspections. Both of these areas
are the responsibility of the company requesting the audit.
Inspection reports are available only to OCIMF members,
bulk oil terminal operators, charterers and oil traders, and government
bodies, e.g. port and flag states. There is no access for class
societies, insurance providers, underwriters or P&I Clubs. At
the present time, there are 80 certified SIRE inspectors in the
United States. Training of inspectors will continue through December
5th of this year to ensure that sufficient inspectors are available
to cover the barge and towing industry.
OCIMF will hold its roll out meeting in Houston on
May 4. AWO members are invited to attend this meeting. There is
seating for 150 and places are being allocated on a first come-first
serve basis. If you would like to attend, please contact Rebecca
Harrison at sireaccredit@ocimf.com
for reservations. AWO will continue to communicate with OCIMF to
ensure members are fully informed on the progress of the program.
If you have any questions, please contact Bob Clinton at (703) 841-9300.
CEMS Training Opportunities
The Crew Endurance Management System (CEMS) is a system
for managing risk factors in maritime work environments that can
lead to human error and performance slumps. The Coast Guard and
AWO have been working together to help companies implement the principles
of CEMS.
In this space, AWO will publish details of CEMS training
opportunities around the country. For further information on CEMS
training opportunities, please contact LT Samson Stevens, U.S. Coast
Guard, (202) 267-0173.
Back
to Top
Association
News
Important Dates and Reminders
-
April 19: "Capital River Relief"
Clean Up. For more information, contact Anne Burns.
-
April 20: AWO Congressional "Barge-In,"
Washington, DC. For more information, contact Angela Madden.
-
April 21-22: AWO Spring Convention, Arlington,
VA. For more information, contact Marilyn Clark.
-
June 16: Inland Harbor Services Meeting,
3:00-5:00 p.m, Biloxi, MS. For more information, contact Marilyn
Clark.
-
June 16-17. Southern Region Meeting, Biloxi,
MS. For more information, contact Marilyn Clark.
-
August 17-18: Midwest and Ohio Valley Joint
Region Meeting, St. Louis, MO. A reception will be held
on August 17. For more information, contact Lynn Muench at (314)
446-6474
Back
to Top
Regional Reports
Pacific Region
Washington State Citizen Advisory Council Bill
Passes at 12th Hour
After an exhaustive battle, the Washington State Citizens
Advisory Bill (ESSB 5432) officially died on Friday, April 15.
It almost seemed that Washington's maritime
industry could breathe a sigh of relief, until the House of Representatives,
led by Speaker of the House Frank Chopp, resurrected this onerous
piece of legislation, and placed it on the floor calendar to be
voted on by the entire House. The bill was voted off the House floor
with an amendment that allowed the Citizens Advisory Council to
hire a professional staff. It was then sent to the Senate for concurrence,
which it received with only one nay vote.
The session had started the year on a good note, with
legislators assuring AWO and its coalition members that the Citizens
Advisory Council would not pass this year. It was then that Senator
Harriet Spanel began lobbying her colleagues on both sides of the
aisle, with a fervor few have ever seen in Washington State. By
the middle of the session, it was almost certain that ESSB 5432
would pass this legislative session. At that point, AWO, along with
other industry representatives, worked around the clock and was
able to stop the bill from passing off the House floor before the
April 15th cut off date. Unfortunately, Washington State politics
took over, and the bill was soon on the way to the Governor's office
for her signature.
ESSB 5432 creates a Citizens Advisory Council in the
office of the Governor that has the authority to hire a professional
staff and help influence all oil spill issues. An important amendment
that AWO was successful in having added to the bill requires two
maritime industry representatives to participate on the council.
Even with that codicil, it is a very unfortunate piece of legislation
that duplicates many systems already in place. AWO and other groups
are presenting Governor Gregoire with a veto letter, in another
effort to spare Washington's maritime industry and citizens
from this flawed legislation.
Navigating the Troubled Waters of Politics
One clear message gleaned from the recent Washington
State legislative session is that state legislatures need to be
educated about the maritime industry and its integral relationship
with the state economies. The Pacific Region will start a concerted
education campaign to reach out to the various legislators in the
relevant states and give them a better understanding of the industry
and its operations. This will be critical to AWO's effectiveness
in protecting industry interests in the Pacific Region.
Over the next few months, AWO Vice President - Pacific
Region Jason Lewis will be sending out requests for AWO members
to make themselves available to legislators, and to consider giving
them a ride on a boat and providing an overview of company operations.
AWO will also host lunches for a number of state legislators, so
that members can get better acquainted with them and they can see
members as the face of maritime in their state.
AWO will also be focusing on key congressional contacts
as well. Congressional grassroots is a top priority for the Pacific
Region. It is imperative to the industry that strong relationships
with members of Congress and the Senate are established and maintained.
Southern Region
Southern Region to Hold Summer Meeting
The Southern Region will hold its summer meeting
Friday, June 17 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi, MS. Friday's
meeting will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:00 a.m. and
will be preceded by a reception Thursday evening, June 16 at 6:00
p.m. The AWO group rate of $129.00 (single or double occupancy)
is available until May 16. To register, please use the meeting registration
form included with this AWO Letter and fax it to Marilyn Clark at
(985) 674-2291. You may also register on the AWO Web site at www.americanwaterways.com/southreg.htm.
For more information, please contact Marilyn Clark at (985) 727-2027.
Back
to Top
This edition of the AWO Letter is sponsored
by:
For further information, contact:
Anne Davis
Burns
Vice President - Public Affairs
801 North Quincy Street
Suite 200
Arlington, VA 22203
PH: (703) 841-9300
FAX: (703) 841-0389
|
