2020 YEAR IN REVIEW
SECURING THE JONES ACT : THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR BUSINESS
■ Led successful coalition effort to enact legislation affirming the applicability of U . S . law , including the Jones Act , to renewable energy installations on the Outer Continental Shelf , securing this important emerging market for American companies , mariners and vessels
■ Defended the Jones Act from a well-funded effort to repeal or weaken the law on its 100th anniversary and defeated efforts to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic to undermine the Jones Act
■ With the American Maritime Partnership , secured legislation tightening requirements on the issuance of Jones Act waivers
■ Prevented the adoption of anti-Jones Act resolutions in West Virginia and New Jersey
■ Concluded the Centennial Countdown Campaign highlighting over 50 “ Faces of the Jones Act ” across the country and nearly 50 technological advancements and new vessels from AWO members
SUPPORTING SAFETY & BUSINESS CONTINUITY THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
■ Testified before Congress on industry needs to address COVID-19 , leading to introduction and passage of the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act , which creates a grant program to offset emergency costs incurred by vessel owners and ports
■ Ensured mariners were designated as essential critical infrastructure personnel and created employee template letters to transit to / from work during stay-at-home orders
■ Developed operational protocols for disembarkation and decontamination , best practices for off-duty employees , towing industry-specific webinars including the Virtual Summer of Safety , and other safety resources for members
■ Coordinated with the Maritime Sector Coordinating Council to deliver 229,000 free facial coverings to AWO members
■ Advocated for priority access to COVID-19 testing and vaccination for maritime workers
■ Obtained Coast Guard flexibility for inspections and drug testing and clarification of regulatory uncertainties , including a policy for fuel transfer conferences
■ Secured merchant mariner credential and TWIC extensions and flexibility on TWIC renewals and applications
■ Secured extension of ballast water management system installation deadlines
■ Helped AWO members access PPP loans and other financial relief
■ Advocated for liability protection for businesses against unwarranted COVID claims
■ Kept members up to date and facilitated information-sharing through regular conference calls and real-time website updates
■ Produced a video to reinforce the importance of our workforce staying “ Safe at Work , Safe at Home ”
■ Produced two videos and placed digital ads in newspapers across the country on the industry ’ s role in helping the nation navigate the COVID-19 crisis
■ Convened the CEO Safety Focus Group to promote safety and reliability and avoid unforced errors that hurt people , the environment and the bottom line
2 THE AMERICAN WATERWAYS OPERATORS