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onto the customer in either the form of higher taxes paid to the government and/or higher rates. And if this consoli-dation results in less hulls to get the job done, will we see delays due to a shortage of vessels? ConsequencesIf enough U.S. ß ag operators go by the wayside, will we see foreign ß agged vessels in U.S. inland waters? ThatÕs not something too many would want to see, but if the Obama Administra- tion has issued more Jones Act waivers in the past four years than have been granted the past six decades, then any-thing is possible. IÕm just saying É On the other end of the spectrum, letÕs summarize what good could come out of subM: This includes the atten- tion and remediation of a wide range of causes of towing accidents. Improved safety within the towing industry ought to be an outcome along with a signiÞ cant reduction in fatalities, injuries, property damage and oil spills. English quantiÞ es this beneÞ t at $256.2 million over ten years. Does this include a reduction in insurance rates to reß ect this new cul- ture? I donÕt know Ð IÕll have to ask him. Workboat Exchange: RX for Inland IndustryThe success of this yearÕs Workboat Exchange event reß ects, at least in part, the growing need for operators and suppliers alike to begin focusing more tightly on the coming demand for re- vamped tonnage, closer adherence to safety and management systems and the realization that very soon, it will not be business as usual in inland wa-ters. Along with the hard work and negotiations, however, came the op- portunity to enjoy networking events, entertainment and evening cocktails with colleagues in a near perfect set- ting. In advance of the coming SubM storm, just what the doctor ordered. www.marinelink.com MN May2013 Layout 1-17.indd 11MN May2013 Layout 1-17.indd 115/3/2013 12:41:47 PM5/3/2013 12:41:47 PM