Page 22: of Marine News Magazine (April 2015)

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COLUMN OP/ED 2015: An Action Year for Subchapter M

By Jennifer Carpenter, Executive Vice President of The American Waterways Operators

For all of the predictions and prog- we transport the nation’s waterborne commerce, a journey nostications that have been made over marked by both private sector leadership and responsible the last ten years, one thing is objec- public policymaking. The towing vessel inspection rule will tively true: the publication of Subchap- cap this tremendous progress by raising the regulatory bar ter M – the U.S. Coast Guard’s long- to ensure that all towing vessels achieve a minimum thresh- awaited towing vessel inspection rule old of safety. This rising tide will indeed lift all boats.

– is closer than it’s ever been. AWO recognizes and respects the Coast Guard’s careful

Yes, the road to Subchapter M has consideration of the towing vessel inspection rule. A rule- been long, but the end is in sight (really). As we approach making project of this scope and importance must be done our destination, both the Coast Guard and the tugboat, right. But given the signi