NMC Closed Due to Government Shutdown; Other Impacts to Coast Guard Services To Be Confirmed. Following a lapse in appropriations and shutdown of the federal government, the Coast Guard announced the National Maritime Center (NMC) and all Regional Exam Centers (RECs) are closed until further notice. Customer services and mariner examinations at RECs are cancelled, but the NMC's contact center remains operational. AWO is actively monitoring funding negotiations, and should the shutdown persist, will advocate for blanket credential validity extensions to alleviate the current suspension of application processing and backlog of applications when operations resume to keep existing mariners working. 

AWO can confirm that the Coast Guard will continue to provide vessel inspection services and execute its marine safety enforcement and waterways management missions, but we are working to ascertain the shutdown's impacts to other Coast Guard services, including Vessel Response Plan, Vessel Security Plan, and plan reviews. If you have any questions, please contact Caitlyn Stewart.

 

AWO, Coast Guard Discuss Opportunities to Improve Sub M Enforcement.  AWO recently met with the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance at Coast Guard headquarters to discuss opportunities to improve Subchapter M enforcement processes, practices, and policies, including proposals to:

 

The meeting followed up on discussion at the August meeting of the National Committee of the Coast Guard-AWO Quality Partnership for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection. During the meeting, CG-CVC's Domestic Vessels Division offered updates on its work to facilitate more efficient and responsive towing vessel inspection scheduling, expand streamlined inspection options for barges, and leverage technology more effectively. AWO will be convening its Towing Vessel Inspection Working Group in October to share more information. To join the Working Group, please contact Liam Morcroft.

 

 

AWO Releases Cybersecurity Training Outline. AWO has developed a comprehensive cybersecurity training outline to support members' efforts to comply with the Coast Guard's cybersecurity rulemaking. This resource is designed to help members understand the Coast Guard regulations and either create their own internal training programs or identify suitable third-party training options to meet compliance needs.

The outline was developed by AWO's Cybersecurity Training Working Group, which includes training, cybersecurity, and towing industry experts, and was reviewed by the Coast Guard to confirm that it aligns with current regulatory requirements. If the Coast Guard releases future guidance on cybersecurity training requirements, the working group will revisit and update the outline as needed.

For any questions or further clarification, please contact Liam Morcroft.

 

AWO Kicks Off Cybersecurity Assessment. AWO's Cybersecurity Assessment Working Group held its first meeting in August to begin developing a towing industry cybersecurity assessment. The assessment will inform the development of a cybersecurity annex to the AWO Alternative Security Program (ASP), which will support AWO ASP users in meeting the requirement to develop a cybersecurity plan by July 2027.

As a first step, the group is conducting a thorough inventory of all computer systems used on MTSA-regulated towing vessels and barges to pinpoint where vulnerabilities could result in a Transportation Security Incident (TSI) or Cybersecurity Incident as defined by the Coast Guard. By identifying these risks, the group seeks to recommend effective and practical mitigation strategies to ensure vessel, crew, and public safety.

If you have questions about the Coast Guard's cybersecurity regulations or AWO's work to help prepare members for implementation, please contact Liam Morcroft.

 

AWO Discusses SPEED Act with Chairman Westerman. In a recent meeting with Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, AWO President & CEO Jennifer Carpenter and Vice President - Legislative Affairs Craig Montesano discussed the potential benefits to the maritime industry of H.R. 4776, the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act. The bipartisan measure, spearheaded by Chairman Westerman, seeks to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process by reducing permitting and judicial review timelines when the Act is triggered.

Given NEPA's far-ranging impact on a variety of regulatory efforts affecting our industry, including the development of navigation safety fairways and permitting for shipyard modernization projects, AWO supports the objectives of the SPEED Act and looks forward to working with lawmakers to see it enacted this Congress.  

 

Rep. Carbajal Joins AWO, AMP President on AMP Podcast. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, recently joined Jennifer Carpenter as a guest on the American Maritime Podcast. Rep. Carbajal emphasized the importance of the Jones Act to safeguarding America's maritime workforce, national security, and economic independence. He also highlighted recent legislative efforts to modernize maritime policy, including investments in domestic shipbuilding and credentialing reform. Click here to watch the full podcast.

 

AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO PAC has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition, featuring an overview of the 2026 Senate and House Election Landscape.

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.

 

Coast Guard Awards Contract for Mariner Credentialing Modernization. On September 16, the Coast Guard announced it had awarded a nearly $50 million contract to modernize the mariner credentialing program. Included in that award is $3.8 million for development and release of the mariner- and industry-facing NAVITA system that will include "on-line applications, mariner profiles, and self-service features supporting the timely issuance of mariner credentials." AWO has strongly supported modernization of the mariner credentialing program and is in discussions with the agency to understand next steps, timeline, scope, and industry engagement opportunities as this work moves forward.

 

AWO Represents Industry at OCIMF Day in London. AWO was proud to represent the American tugboat, towboat and barge industry at Oil Companies International Marine Forum Day on September 18. Michael Breslin, AWO Senior Director - Safety and Sustainability, gave remarks highlighting AWO's journey from the Responsible Carrier Program and Coast Guard-AWO Safety Partnership to Subchapter M, underscoring the industry's strong safety record and further strengthening ties with energy cargo owners and OCIMF leadership.

This engagement affirmed our industry as a global leader, partner, and resource for OCIMF and secured AWO's role on OCIMF's Human Factors and Falls to Water Working Groups, positioning us to shape human factors integration into SIRE 2.0 and contribute to other safety initiatives.

AWO thanks Inland Liquid Sector Committee Chair Angie Fay of Blessey Marine Services and all members who provided input on key issues and messages ahead of OCIMF Day. For more information, please contact Mike Breslin.  

 

MTSNAC Nominations Sought. The Maritime Administration is reviving the U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee (MTSNAC) and has issued a notice soliciting applications for membership. MTSNAC advises the Secretary of Transportation on maritime transportation system matters and integration with other modes of transportation. Private sector representatives can apply for two-year terms. The committee will meet virtually three times a year. Applications are due by October 17, 2025.

 

California Agency, Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Agree to Halt Indirect Source Rule. The Mobile Source Committee of California's South Coast Quality Air Management District (SCAQMD) voted unanimously to finalize a cooperative agreement with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, rather than proceed with an Indirect Source Rulemaking (ISR) that could have led to the ports being shut down if emission limits were reached. 

The Mobile Source Committee's decision comes after its September 19 meeting, where AWO's Peter Schrappen, Vice President - Pacific Region and Regional Team Lead, delivered  comments expressing AWO's appreciation for SCAQMD's and the Ports' negotiation efforts. The Committee directed SCAQMD staff to present a finalized agreement for Board consideration in November.

SCAQMD also released an updated version of the draft Cooperative Agreement for public review. For more information, please contact Lillie Wightman.

 

AWO Joins NY State Offshore Wind Working Group. AWO's Director - State Advocacy Kyle Burleson joined the New York Department of State's Offshore Wind Maritime Technical Working Group (M-TWG) and attended its in-person meeting on Staten Island on September 18. The M-TWG provides technical expertise to the State of New York to help the state attain its offshore wind goals. AWO's membership is geared toward educating the State on the importance of the tugboat, towboat and barge industry to offshore wind and to New York's economy and supply chain.  M-TWG's members were also treated to a tour of McAllister's Staten Island facility, led by Operations Vice President Capt. Steve Kress and Executive Vice President & General Counsel Alessandra Tebaldi.

Following the M-TWG meeting, Kyle attended the first-ever Staten Island Transportation and Infrastructure Summit, which focused on the importance of the maritime industry and featured a panel led by Stephen Lyman, Executive Director of the Maritime Association of the Port of New York and New Jersey.  These efforts are part of a broader AWO initiative to grow our spheres of influence in New York.

 

Fall Convention Is Almost Here! If you haven't already registered, make plans now to join AWO in Houston, TX for the Fall Convention and Board of Directors Meeting October 15-16. The Fall Convention is open to all AWO members and invited guests free of charge. AWO member Kirby Corporation is hosting a tour of the Houston Ship Channel on the MV Observer on the morning of October 15. Please use the links below to register.

Registration: Member Dashboard | The American Waterways Operators

Tour: https://forms.office.com/r/3As3ePhSy0