American Waterways Operators (AW) was incorporated in 1944 during World War II to give the industry a forum for navigating the myriad of regulations and unparalleled demands of freight transportation during that difficult era. AWO has since into the national advocate for the U.S. tugboat, towboat and barge industry, and an important partner for the Cooper Group of Companies. AWO members operate on the rivers, coasts, Great Lakes, and harbors of the United States, moving vital commodities safely, reducing air emissions, water pollution, and highway congestion, protecting homeland security, and providing family-wage jobs for tens of thousands of Americans.
“AWO has been on the forefront of industry advocacy with the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Alan Savoie, Director of Marketing and Development, Cooper Consolidated, and member of the AWO Standards Board. “Prior to Sub-Chapter M,” he continued, “AWO provided the industry with the Responsible Carrier Program (RCP), which became so popular that membership and compliance with it became a requirement of most, if not all, liquid carriers in the industry.”
Plimsoll Marine, Crescent Towing, and Cooper Marine and Timberlands, through their AWO memberships, have all received RCP certification.
“While Sub-Chapter M mandates compliance from a safety perspective for all maritime companies as of July 2018,” Savoie elaborated, “AWO’s continued goal is to carry forward with a robust RCP and continue its advocacy with the Coast Guard.”
As a member of the Standards Board, Savoie and fellow board members are responsible for recommended revisions of RCP to AWO’s Board of Directors. In addition, the Board oversees AWO-recognized third-party organizations, audits, and applications from organizations seeking to become AWO-recognized. Further, the Standards Board has authority to issue clarifications and directives memoranda, as needed, to guide RCP interpretation.
Savoie added, “As we move through Sub-Chapter M, it’s imperative that we not lose sight of government regulations and the protection of the Jones Act. The AWO staff, located in Washington, D.C., regularly meets with members of the U.S. Congress to ensure the industry is consulted about important policy decisions that directly impact our business.”
Cementing its role as “the voice of industry,” AWO remains steadfast in promoting the long-term economic soundness of the industry and works to enhance its ability to provide safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation.