■ Raised Congressional awareness of the importance of the Coast Guard ’ s Waterways Commerce Cutter program and supported increased appropriations for the new cutters .
■ Ensured ATB eligibility for the Voluntary Tanker Agreement Program and government contracting preference for participants .
■ Helped defeat a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would add costs and delays to companies seeking permits .
■ Formed broad coalition to lobby for improvements to problematic California harbor craft emissions rules .
■ Educated lawmakers on the essential role of the Snake River dams and worked with allies to convince influential policymakers that removing dams is not feasible .
■ Through AWO ’ s River Industry Executive Task Force , prevented interruptions to river operations by :
– Securing denial of a Vicksburg permit that would have decreased safety , and
– Advocating for denial of a Natchez permit and improvements in the location of the Delta Point Casting Field to ensure navigation safety , especially in high water .
■ Urged Coast Guard to take a practical approach to forthcoming electronic chart rulemaking .
■ Hired State Advocacy Representative to enhance state and regional advocacy effectiveness .
■ Coast Guard credential processing delays that create impediments to new mariners entering the workforce and discourage existing mariners seeking to continue and advance their careers .
■ State legalization of cannabis and its interplay with federal regulations requiring pre-employment , periodic , and random drug testing for mariners .
■ The challenge of retaining mariners amid changing lifestyle expectations and abundant shoreside opportunities within and outside the industry .
There are no quick fixes to these complex and multifaceted challenges , but the hard work of tackling them is underway , in cooperation with an array of government and private sector partners . The work is vital : people are the engine that powered our industry ’ s storied past , and people are the key to unlocking its future potential .
2022 ANNUAL REPORT 7