The American Waterways Operators - Annual Reports 2018 | Page 4

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO & COO
BUILDING ON Achievement
F
or 75 years, AWO has been the national advocate for the tugboat, towboat and barge industry, focused
on one mission: enabling the industry to thrive. We do that by educating the public on the industry’s
value to the nation; fighting for public policy that helps members run their businesses and operate their
vessels safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively; and leading and supporting members in continuously improving
safety, security and environmental stewardship. AWO is an organization of and for its members, and from the
beginning, members have been the drivers of our work. It is because of their guidance and the inspiration we
draw from their enduring commitment to excellence that 2018 was a year of monumental achievement for AWO.
“AWO is
your association,
your advocate, and
your community.
You are AWO.
Working together,
we are AWO.”
The advocacy achievements of the past year were consequential. Through enactment of the Vessel Incidental
Discharge Act, we replaced a costly patchwork of unworkable state vessel discharge regulations with a
streamlined, federally-centered and environmentally responsible system. We defended the Jones Act, the
foundational law for our industry, from repeated attempts to undermine it through problematic waivers
and legislation. We worked with the Coast Guard to implement the Subchapter M towing vessel inspection
regulations practicably, without disruption to maritime commerce. And, we passed legislation to safeguard our
harbor services members from anticompetitive negotiation practices by ocean carrier alliances.
2018 was also a year of substantial accomplishments in safety. Led by AWO members, we provided information
and resources to facilitate Subchapter M implementation and elevate safety standards industry-wide; developed
our industry’s first Fatigue Risk Management Guide to help members manage fatigue risk; developed Cyber Risk
Management Best Practices specific to the towing industry; and crafted the Safety Leadership 3.0 framework to
lead and support members in continuously improving safety, security and environmental stewardship.
As we look back on a year of accomplishment and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead,
we thank every AWO member for your support, your engagement, and your commitment to our industry.
AWO is your association, your advocate, and your community. You are AWO. Working together, we are AWO.
On behalf of the entire AWO staff, thank you for the privilege of working with you and for you.
THOMAS A. ALLEGRETTI
President & CEO
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THE AMERICAN WATERWAYS OPERATORS
JENNIFER A. CARPENTER
Executive Vice President & COO
2018 ANNUAL REPORT A YEAR OF ACHIEVEMENT 3 n