Pandemic Information & Resources for the Towing Industry

AWO is committed to providing resources for you as your companies, our industry and our country navigate the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This means ensuring you have access to critical health and safety information and official government and public health guidance to enable informed decision making as the COVID-19 outbreak rapidly progresses and evolves. The resources linked on this webpage can help you take steps to protect vessel crewmembers and other employees from COVID-19 and respond to suspected cases of COVID-19 as you work to move maritime commerce safely and steadily in support of our national economy.

Additionally, AWO is hosting a member conference call each Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern time to provide members an opportunity to speak with fellow AWO members about COVID-19 prevention and response strategies. Regular reminder emails will be sent with the dial-in information. If you’ve missed those reminders, please email safety@americanwaterways.com for the dial-in logistical information.

AWO Resources

COVID-19 Contingency Planning Guide for Towing Vessel and Barge Operators, Version 2.0
COVID-19 Prevention Best Practices for Off-Duty Mariners
Sample Protocols and Procedures
- Vessel Disembarkation for the planned assessment, actions, and reporting for a suspected COVID-19 illness of a crewmember
- Vessel Decontamination for when presumed COVID-19 infected crew are still berthed and post-disembarkation from the vessel
Template Company Letters (reproducable on company letterhead)
- Identify marine towing employees as essential critical infrastructure personnel
- Spanish Version: Identify marine towing employees as essential critical infrastructure personnel
AWO Webinars
AWO RCP Standards Board Memoranda
- April 8, 2020: RCP/TSMS External Audit Extension Requests Due to COVID-19
- March 20, 2020: Internal Audit Extension Requests Due to COVID-19

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. If you see out-of-date information or wish to see additional resources added to this webpage, please email safety@americanwaterways.com.