AWO Letter - January 8th, 2026
Coast Guard Cybersecurity Training Requirements Take Effect January 12. The Coast Guard's cybersecurity training requirements take effect for Maritime Transportation Security Act-regulated U.S.-flag vessels, facilities, and Outer Continental Shelf facilities on Monday, January 12. AWO has created a Cybersecurity Training Outline to help members understand the training requirements and establish internal training programs or find appropriate third-party options for regulatory compliance. Additional information and Coast Guard guidance on the regulations are available here.
AWO also has information on courses AWO affiliate members have developed to help members meet these training requirements. Please reach out to Liam Morcroft for more information.
AWO Leads Coalition Meeting with DHS on VIDA Implementation. On December 18, AWO led a coalition of maritime industry organizations in a meeting with Mr. Sean Plankey, Senior Advisor for the Coast Guard to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, to discuss our coalition letter urging Secretary Noem and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to advance the Coast Guard's rulemaking to implement the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act. Mr. Plankey responded positively to the coalition's message that VIDA will reduce regulatory burdens on the maritime industry and has initiated interagency conversations with OMB. AWO will keep members apprised of further developments. For more information, please contact Caitlyn Stewart.
President Orders Regulatory Rescheduling of Marijuana. On December 18, President Trump signed an executive order on increasing marijuana research that directs the Attorney General to take administrative rulemaking steps to reschedule marijuana to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. In the immediate term, this does not change current marijuana testing requirements for mariners, but future rescheduling does pose challenges if it is not done in a way that preserves testing authorities for transportation workers. As AWO's comments during the first stage of the rulemaking process initiated by the Biden Administration pointed out, the Department of Health and Human Services' authority to set scientific testing cutoffs and certify laboratories for federal drug testing does not extend to Schedule III drugs and must be preserved to ensure Department of Transportation test panels for safety-sensitive/transportation workers continue to include marijuana. As rescheduling moves forward, AWO will continue to leverage coalition allies like the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association and work closely with the Coast Guard to ensure the future rescheduling does not impair members' ability to ensure safe and drug-free maritime operations.
New Study Documents Advantages of Inland Waterways Careers. The National Waterways Foundation (NWF) recently released the study Evaluating Employment by Inland Waterways Operators, conducted by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute with support from AWO and numerous AWO members. Among other findings, the report concluded that inland waterways employment offers several advantages over employment in trucking and rail including "safety, compensation, work-life balance, and job security." Importantly, inland waterways operations experience 1/25 of the fatalities of rail operations and 1/120 of the fatalities of trucking operations, while providing entry-level positions that can develop into skilled careers without requiring a college degree. In conjunction with the study, NWF also released a video and brochure that are being distributed to school guidance counselors and are available for companies to use in their own recruitment and promotion efforts.
AWO Submits Comments to Coast Guard Northeast District on Remote Bridge Operations Safety Concerns. AWO recently submitted comments to the U.S. Coast Guard on proposed remote operation of the Point-No-Point Railroad Bridge over Passaic River in New Jersey. The letter emphasized members' ongoing concerns about the safety of remote-controlled bridge operations, citing prior incidents where bridges closed unexpectedly on vessels with little warning, posing risks to mariners, the environment, and property. AWO urged the Coast Guard to complete investigations into previous incidents to identify how best to minimize risk and work with industry to establish strong safety standards and operational guidelines before expanding remote bridge use.
Summary of NTZ -- December 2025. In the latest edition of AWO's Navigating to Zero Safety and Sustainability Newsletter, we reviewed AWO's safety and environmental accomplishments in 2025; highlighted the NTSB's Safety Alert and NTSB Casualty Reports; discussed the Coast Guard's Policy Letter updating the acceptance of aluminum liquid flammable storage lockers; summarized recent Coast Guard Reports of Investigation, Findings of Concern, and Safety Alerts; reviewed member-submitted High-Value Near Misses; recapped recent Bridge Events; featured BayDelta Operations Manager Paul Hendriks; and much more!
What's driving AWO's maritime safety efforts in 2026? Your SSRP data, High Value Near Misses, and HERO Award nominations help tell the story. Stay in the loop with the AWO Navigating to Zero newsletter. Email Liam Morcroft to set up delivery or explore past editions on the AWO iPhone & Android app.
2025 SSRP Numbers Due at End of Month. The Safety Statistics Reporting Program deadline for 2025 data is approaching. Please submit your Q4 2025 data by January 31.
Missed earlier quarters? No problem -- past data can be submitted or edited at any time using the AWO SSRP portal.
The SSRP is a confidential, easy-to-use tool that helps carrier members benchmark safety performance, track industry trends, and strengthen AWO's advocacy on behalf of our members. If you haven't participated recently or need access, please contact Mike Breslin.
Thank you for supporting AWO's safety leadership.
Coast Guard Seeking Applications for 2026 William M. Benkert Environmental Award. The U.S. Coast Guard is now accepting applications for the 2026 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Award for Environmental Excellence, which recognizes maritime companies and facilities that demonstrate sustained leadership in marine environmental protection. The award highlights innovative practices in vessel and facility operations, maintenance, cargo handling, refueling, and training, while encouraging the sharing of best practices across the maritime industry.
The award will be presented in May 2026 at the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association Safety at Sea National Maritime Day seminar. Applications will be accepted until March 1 and details can be found here. For additional information, please contact Lillie Wightman.
AWO PAC and Inside Elections. AWO PAC has partnered with Inside Elections for another special edition, featuring updated House and Senate race rating charts, a deep dive into the North Carolina Senate race, and analysis on the upcoming special election in New Jersey's 11th District.
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.
Register Now: AWO's Winter Meeting Series -- Connecting Regions. Advancing Safety. Strengthening Our Industry. AWO's 2026 Winter Meeting Series will take place in February and March in Baltimore, New Orleans, and Vancouver, WA, bringing members together for industry insights, policy updates, and safety discussions. Please note that the Combined Regions Annual Meeting and Winter Safety Meeting require separate registration.
Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available! AWO has introduced an enhanced sponsorship program for the 2026 Winter Meeting Series, with tiered and event-specific options that increase visibility and engagement while supporting AWO's work on behalf of the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry. For details, contact Carmina Smith.
Thank you to our 2026 Diamond Sponsor, PSC Group!