Navigating to Zero - July 2025

Navigating to Zero - July 2025

dwisniewski 07/30/25
AWO Releases Falls Overboard Prevention Report
The American Waterways Operators is proud to announce the release of its Falls Overboard Prevention Report, a comprehensive, data-driven analysis developed in collaboration with AWO members, safety professionals, and industry stakeholders. The U.S. Coast Guard - AWO Quality Partnership for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection tracks fall overboard incidents, which have consistently been the leading cause of fatalities in the tugboat, towboat and barge industry. 
To better understand this persistent risk, AWO conducted two member surveys, compiling and analyzing data from 118 falls overboard between 2012 and 2024. The findings revealed that 68% of incidents occurred on barges, with 66% taking place at night. Deckhands were involved in more than half of the cases, and most falls resulted from slips, trips, distraction, or environmental hazards like ice or cargo debris on deck. 
 
The report uses a modified Hierarchy of Controls to present a wide range of preventive strategies, organized from most to least effective, including: 
  • Elimination/Substitution: Using interior gunnels, safety barges, and remote devices to remove the need for crew to work near unguarded edges. 
  • Engineering Controls: Installing perimeter rails, guardrails, fall restraint systems, and lighting to reduce direct exposure to hazards. 
  • Design Mitigations: Incorporating handholds, center-mounted appliances, and non-slip deck coatings; pre-staging gear to reduce unnecessary movement on deck. 
  • Administrative Controls: Reinforcing safe work practices, clear communication, and proper ladder and walkway setup; training on fatigue and distraction. 
  • PPE: Recommending tethered restraint systems, harnesses, audible edge alerts, and horizontal lifelines where appropriate. 
The report also outlines opportunities for new barge construction, such as incorporating raised coamings, moving gear inboard, and using remote sensing systems to reduce exposure to fall risks. For more information or to access AWO's Falls Overboard Prevention Report, please contact Lillie Wightman. 
 
Join AWO for a Safety Standdown Day to #StopFallsOverboard 
To raise awareness and reinforce safety practices to prevent falls overboard, AWO is leading a call to action on August 28 for the Falls Overboard Safety Standdown Day. AWO is asking all U.S. towing vessel operators to participate by holding brief discussions with crews and shoreside teams to: 
  • Review falls overboard prevention procedures. 
  • Reinforce safe deck behavior, buddy systems, fall restraint use, and proper PPE. 
  • Encourage mariners to post to social media about their discussion, using the tag #StopFallsOverboard to show industry unity and raise awareness. 
Participants are urged to utilize AWO's Falls Overboard Prevention Report and the Overboard Safety Standdown Day Discussion Sheet to help guide their conversation. Both are available from AWO's Resource Library. 
This unified industrywide pause is an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, engage mariners in meaningful dialogue, and demonstrate a shared commitment to safety. Companies are encouraged to tag AWO on X (Twitter): @AWOAdvocacy, or on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 
 
Please contact Deanna Wisniewski for more information.
 
AWO Summer Safety Committee Meeting - August 13-14 at the Loews Hotel Chicago
Join AWO members in Chicago for the Summer Safety Meeting, where we will focus on the challenges and opportunities for our industry in adapting to an evolving safety landscape and provide updates on AWO safety initiatives and programs.
 
All members are invited to join us for the opening reception on August 13 at the Loews Hotel. Programming will continue on the morning of August 14 with incident review and lessons learned presented by AWO members, and afternoon educational sessions including a discussion on human performance; an introduction to the new Center for Maritime Innovation; presentation of a new mariner wellness study conducted by the Seamen's Church Institute and Yale University; and our American Waterways HERO Award ceremony to honor fellow members and colleagues for their heroic acts. A reception and social dinner that evening will close out our Summer Safety Meeting.
 
Reserve your room and register today! Please contact Caitlin Clark with any questions.
WHERE: Loews Chicago Downtown
 
WHEN: August 13-14, 2025
 
 
 
 
 
AWO to Lead USCMI Inland Waterways Working Group 
The US Center for Maritime Innovation (Center) recently held the first meeting of its Inland Waterways Regional Working Group. The working group will provide input on research priorities and project ideas for the Center, act as a steering committee for project implementation, provide a forum for inland waterways stakeholders, and provide general feedback to the Center. AWO's Caitlyn Stewart and Bradley Trammell were asked to lead the working group alongside Vanderbilt University's Craig Philip and Leah Dundon. At the working group meeting, Bradley, Leah, and Craig gave presentations to familiarize working group members with their organizations' work in maritime innovation and sustainability.
 
Inland waterways operators are encouraged to join the working group to ensure your needs and interests are fully represented. For more information, please contact Brad Trammell.
 
Coast Guard and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Safety Alerts
The U.S. Coast Guard and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement publish Safety Alerts on their websites on a regular basis. Alerts issued since the last publication of the NTZ are listed below:
Stakeholders are urged to review these alerts in detail to enhance safety measures and prevent incidents. Please contact Michael Breslin for more information.
 
USCG Reports of Investigation and Findings of Concern - Updates and Email Registration Instructions
The U.S. Coast Guard offers a monthly email to alert stakeholders about new Reports of Investigation and Findings of Concern, published on its Office of Investigations & Casualty Analysis website. To request alerts, email HQS-SMB-CG-INV@uscg.mil with the subject line "Please add me to the Monthly Findings of Concern Distribution List" or "Please add me to the Monthly Reports of Investigation Distribution List."
 
These Reports of Investigation (RoI) and Findings of Concern (FoC) have been released since the last safety newsletter:
  • RoI 7652272 - 3-16-2023 - Loss of Life involving the ITV William F Fallon Jr., the Tank Barge HMS 2607, and the Tank Barge Loren Eades at Duraport Terminal, in Bayonne, NJ.
  • RoI 7788544 - 9-9-2023 - Collision between the ITV Warren W. Hines and Personal Watercraft, resulting in the loss of two lives in the vicinity of MM 151.5 on the Cumberland River near Nashville, TN.
  • RoI 7478752 - 6-15-2022 - Capsizing of the Uninspected Crane Barge Ambition and subsequent discharge of oil while being towed by the ITV Karen Koby in the Gulf of Mexico, 15 Nautical Miles South of Freshwater Bayou, LA.
  • RoI 7929906 - 6-1-2024 - Capsizing and subsequent sinking of the Commercial Fishing Vessel My Possum resulting in the loss of two lives while transiting the Matagorda Shipping Channel in Lavaca Bay, TX.
  • RoI 7608546 - 12-11-2022 - Fall Overboard from the ITV Cheryl Stegbauer and subsequent loss of one life while transiting through Lock and Dam 25 at MM 241.5 on the UMR near Winfield, MO.
  • RoI 7351083 - 11-13-2021 - Collision between the Uninspected Barge STC 3020 and the Locomotive BNSF 9251, and subsequent injuries, while pushed-in to the bank of the Mississippi River near MM 372 by ITV Baxter Southern, in the vicinity of Galland, IA.
  • RoI 7902559 - 4-26-2024 - Explosion resulting in injuries and the loss of two lives onboard the Commercial Fishing Vessel Kim Thu while moored at Pier 23 in Honolulu, HI.
  • RoI 6670600 - 4-21-2019 - Loss of life while snorkeling from the Uninspected Passenger Vessel FL1161PS in Choctawhatchee Bay near Destin, FL.
  • FoC 009-25 - 6-25-2025 - Injury on a fishing vessel after several packages fell from a freezer onto a crewmember when the ship listed suddenly. Recommendations were made to secure all cargo and stores on vessels underway.
  • FoC 008-25 - 6-24-2025 - Escape of atomized diesel fuel, under pressure, from a compromised seal point and subsequent ignition upon the exhaust stack of the number two auxiliary generator, leading to a fire. Recommendations include ensuring exhaust systems are properly insulated, O rings and sealing components are inspected, and water mist systems for fire response are calibrated to deliver enough pressure to extinguish a fire.
Stakeholders are urged to review these alerts in detail to enhance safety measures and prevent incidents. Please contact Michael Breslin for more information.
 
Raising the Bar on Maritime Training: Coast Guard Shares Best Practices for Providers
The U.S. Coast Guard's National Maritime Center (NMC) has issued a new best practice guide to help training providers strengthen course delivery, evaluation, and certification standards. The guide emphasizes steps instructors must follow to meet criteria for continued USCG approval and includes guidance for curriculum, evaluations, cell phone use, and much more.
 
The guide is available on the NMC's website. Related questions may be directed to NMCCourses@uscg.mil or ComplianceAudits@uscg.mil.
 
AWO High-Value Near Misses for June 2025
AWO's High-Value Near Miss Program seeks to prevent incidents by sharing lessons learned from high-value near misses. In addition, AWO's Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee has established the Terminal Near Miss Program, which investigates near misses at terminals to form action plans to mitigate or eliminate hazards by communicating with terminal operators.
 
Please share your organization's high-value events with AWO by using our simple and secure form, available by following this link.
Description of Near Miss:
A barge dock at a terminal on the LMR does not have a gangway to access barges. Individuals use a ladder attached to the side of the wooden piling to climb to deck level of
the barge. Once there, they must step sideways from the ladder across a gap of several feet to reach the barge deck.
 
Preventive Actions:
Until corrected, the barge company will use crew boats to access barges at this terminal. While this is a costly and time consuming option, it is the only safe way to get mariners to
and from the dock without requiring them to use the unsafe access provided by the terminal.
 
Next Steps:
AWO's Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee is investigating this near miss
and seeking relief from the terminal in the form of a properly constructed ladder or gangway that allows safe access to barges at all river stages.
 
Description of Near Miss:
On two separate occasions a dock has refused to allow the Tank Barge PIC Supervisor to access the site to check on the Tank Barge PIC. This is a serious safety issue. With high temperatures, supervisors are bringing extra water and checking on crew welfare. Blocking access puts personnel at risk of heat-related incidents. It also creates a bigger concern when a new tankerman is onsite and requires direct supervision during critical stages of the
transfer to ensure procedures are followed and prevent potential mishaps. Supervisor
access is not optional - it's a core part of the operator's safety protocol.
 
Preventive Actions:
Tank Barge PIC and Supervisors will continue to work with the terminal to allow safe access to barges on an ad hoc basis. Tank Barge PICs will bring additional supplies within reason.
 
Next Steps:
AWO's Tankering and Barge Operations Subcommittee is investigating this near miss
and seeking relief from the terminal in the form of a policy that specifically allows access by supervisors from contracted service providers who are working a barge at the terminal dock.
 
 
American Waterways HERO Award - Nominate Your Crew for Heroic Acts
The American Waterways Honor & Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award honors member company employees for their bravery, skill, and selflessness during emergencies on our waterways.  Qualifying acts include rescuing mariners, responding to medical emergencies, recovering overboard individuals, and other heroic actions.
 
AWO will hold its next HERO Award ceremony on August 14 in Chicago during the AWO Summer Safety Meeting. To nominate your crew's efforts, fill out this simple form on the AWO website. Each event is recognized with a certificate of recognition for the vessel, a HERO Award Coin for each mariner, and a complimentary one-year marine license and liability insurance policy offered by 360 Coverage Pros & Berkley Offshore.
Company
Vessel or Facility
Date of Event
Type of Rescue
Genesis Marine
ITV James Davison
5/2/2025
Capsize Vessel & FOB
Ingram Barge Company
MV Katherine B Wayne
6/6/2025
FOB
Ingram Barge Company
MV Cheryl K & MV Caressa K
6/29/2025
Capsize Vessel & FOB
Ingram Barge Company
MV George N
6/28/2025
FOB
 
 
National Transportation Safety Board - Marine Casualty Investigation Reports
The National Transportation Safety Board publishes accident reports for Marine, Aviation, Highway, Hazardous Materials Release, Pipelines, and Railroads following completion of an investigation. Reports related to towing vessel operations that have been released since the last publication of the safety newsletter are listed below.
  • NTSB MIR-25-23 - Grounding of Towing Vessel Tom Frazier. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the grounding of the towing vessel Tom Frazier on submerged jetties was the captain maneuvering his tow too close to the bank in order to avoid a downbound tow, and not identifying the hazard posed by the charted jetties.
  • NTSB MIR 25-25 - Contact of Duke Tow with Power Transmission Poles and Pelican Island Causeway Bridge. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the contact of the Duke tow with power transmission poles and the Pelican Island Bridge was the captain's focus on staying clear of a nearby moored cargo vessel and not recognizing how close the tow was getting to the power poles and bridge.
  • NTSB MIR 25-27 - Fire Aboard Towing Vessel Lucinda Smith. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the fire aboard the towing vessel Lucinda Smith was an undetermined ignition source in one of the vessel's staterooms.
MIR 25-24 did not involve towing vessel operations and was therefore not included in this summary. Stakeholders are urged to review these alerts in detail to enhance safety measures and prevent incidents. Please contact Michael Breslin for more information.
 
USACE Workboat Incident Closes Ohio River at Olmsted
On July 1, navigation was temporarily halted on the Ohio River at Olmsted Locks and Dam (river mile 964.4) after two workboats operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Louisville District) capsized during routine fleeting operations. AWO members assisted in rescue and recovery efforts.
 
At approximately 8:50 a.m. CT, the M/V Jackie Lee Anderson began listing against the Illinois bank, while the companion M/V 775 capsized below the dam. There were no reported injuries, and all personnel were confirmed safe. The Corps, alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and salvage teams, suspended lock operations to recover the vessels and ensure safety. Brad Stout, Chief of Locks and Dams for the Louisville District, emphasized that the vessels would be safely secured prior to reopening. Operations resumed and the river reopened to commercial traffic later that day. The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
 
Protecting Mariners from Extreme Heat
The Waterways Journal published an article in June that discusses the severe heat affecting much of the country this summer. The article includes insights from maritime safety and health experts who urge employers to take immediate steps to protect crews from heat-related illnesses. HealthWorks Medical, which provides maritime injury and pre-hire medical care, has already reported a spike in cases this summer, many involving mariners who had not yet acclimated to the harsh conditions found on steel decks under direct sun.
 
While clothing, technology, and equipment can provide relief by shading workers or actively cooling them off, the experts cited preventive actions as most impactful in preventing heat injury -- such as pre-shift hydration, electrolyte support, shaded breaks, and policies that allow crews to schedule heavy labor, like tow building, during the cooler hours of the day.
 
Experts quoted in the article also highlighted the importance of crew training, explaining that mariners should be trained to recognize signs of heat stress, know to use the buddy system, and understand how heat-index tools, like the WetBulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), can help assess heat-risk in real-time. Read the full article here or contact AWO Safety for more information about heat safety.
 
University of Washington Requests Participation in Mariner Wellness Survey
The University of Washington has launched the 2025 Mariner Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey to assess job satisfaction, mental health, and working conditions across the U.S. maritime industry. Open from June 16 to September 16, the anonymous survey seeks responses from licensed and unlicensed mariners, cadets, pilots, and crew working on U.S.-flagged vessels. Results will inform evidence-based solutions that will be shared with industry leaders, unions, and training institutions to support mariner wellbeing.
 
To learn more about this study, please contact marinersurvey@uw.edu.
 
JVAT Launches AI-Powered Maritime Safety Platform
JVAT is a global safety and risk consultancy that is working with AWO to develop a risk analysis tool that will be used in conjunction with AWO's Falls Overboard Prevention Report. The program will rely on JVAT's AIMS (Artificial Intelligence in Maritime Safety) platform, which was designed to support compliance and safety management across maritime operations.
 
AIMS applies AI to automate documentation, streamline audit preparation, and align operator practices with key regulatory frameworks, including the ISM Code, Subchapter M, USCG audit protocols, OSHA requirements, ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001, AWO's Responsible Carrier Program, ISGOTT and OVMSA. The platform performs data analysis and uses crosswalk tools to map procedures to regulatory requirements, identify gaps, and recommend updates. Status dashboards and automated workflows are built in to reduce the need for manual oversight.
 
JVAT is currently applying AIMS in partnership with a U.S.-based maritime operator to modernize its Safety Management System. The project includes procedure review, human factors integration, and reauthoring documents to meet best-practice standards, such as ISO 45001 and behavioral safety principles. AIMS can be deployed through a SharePoint-based Integrated Management System (SIMS), offering centralized access, version control, mobile usability, and role-specific dashboards. The system supports audit readiness, onboard training, and secure access across fleets.
 
For more information or to schedule a demonstration, contact paul.graham@jvat.com.
 
SSRP Program Updates - Q2 Data Due July 31
Second-quarter data for the AWO Safety Statistics Reporting Program (SSRP) is due before July 31. Please enter your company data using AWO's simple entry form, available on the AWO SSRP DATA PORTAL.
 
Thank you to everyone who supports the SSRP with timely submissions. If you have questions or suggestions for program improvement, please email safety@americanwaterways.com.
 
International Maritime News
 
DNV Publishes 2024 Maritime Safety Trends Report
DNV's latest report highlights rising maritime safety risks driven by aging vessels, new technology, and regulatory uncertainty. While focused on deep-draft oceangoing IMO vessels, the report provides insights appliable to all vessel types. Read the full report here.
 
AI-Based Fall Overboard Innovation Developed in Scotland
Edinburgh's Zelim has built an autonomous rescue system that detects people in the water using cameras and AI technology. See the system on Zelim.com.
 
Gard Releases 2025 Crew Claims Report
Based on approximately 3,000 P&I claims and surveys, Gard's Crew Claims Report detailed a 25% rise in crew fatalities post-COVID. Illness coupled with high stress was the primary cause of death in 2024 and alarmingly, suicides exceeded accidental fatalities. The full report is available here.