Page 46: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (March 1986)

AWO: PROMOTING, PROTECTING AND DEFENDING

THE BARGE AND TOWING INDUSTRY

The AWO Washington executive staff: (Center) Joseph Farrell, president; (L to R): Thomas

A. Allegretti, vice president-operations; Jeffrey A. Smith, vice president-public affairs; Lee

H. Hill, controller; and Dena L. Wilson, vice president-legislative affairs.

The American Waterways Opera- tors (AWO), is the national trade association representing the inland and coastal barge and towing indus- try, and the smaller shipyards which service that industry. Since 1944, when AWO was founded, the asso- ciation has worked at defining, sup- porting and promoting its members' interests and operations. In addi- tion, AWO works towards achieving a keen public awareness of the ma- rine transportation industry's con- tribution to the overall American economy.

AWO's primary mission is to function as the informed, persuasive and collective voice to the federal government, to the media and, when necessary, before the courts, speak- ing for the united interests of its varied and ever-expanding member companies. AWO spokesmen fre- quently testify before Congressional committees and maintain a contin- uous dialogue with the federal agen- cies whose activities affect the bot- tom line of their member compa- nies.

AWO seeks to keep federal legis- lators up-to-date and informed—to ensure that legislative actions re- flect thorough consideration of the potential impact on the economics and productivity of the inland and coastal barge and towing industry.

And, AWO provides input to the executive branch agencies—pri- marily the Coast Guard, Corps of

Engineers, OSHA, MarAd and

EPA—that issue regulations on lo- cal and national levels that affect its member companies' ability to oper- ate.

The membership of AWO in- cludes all segments of the inland and coastal barge and towing indus- try including tugboat, towboat and barge operators, and the shipyards that build and repair the industry's vessels. The association's growing affiliate membership is comprised of suppliers, manufacturers, insur- ers, bankers, attorneys and other associations and businesses which make up the marine industry.

AWO assumes the task not only of monitoring and interpreting actions which may affect the association's members, but also of anticipating important developments and re- sponding to them in a timely and effective manner. Moreover, AWO provides its members with up-to- date reports on issues of concern, and participates with federal offi- cials during the key developmental stages on legislative and regulatory proposals which would affect the industry. Their main objective is to demonstrate to national policymak- ers and to the general public that barge commerce is a safe, fuel-effi- cient and cost-effective method of transportation that is a key part of the nation's economy.

The membership of AWO is di- vided into five regional organiza- tions which, together, covers the en- tire United States. Each region meets as necessary to discuss cur- rent issues, to exchange views with officials from federal and state agencies and to develop plans for the future. In order to meet the regional needs of the association,

AWO staff representatives located in New York City and New Orleans provide vital membership services both in their regions, as well as to the national organization. The

AWO regional staff maintains a close working relationship with local officials and regional staff of the various federal agencies.

Reflecting its national character,

AWO member companies are lo- cated along the banks of all major

U.S inland waterways, and on the shores of the Atlantic, Pacific and

Gulf Coasts. The association's con- cerns and influence span the coun- try from Miami to Anchorage, from

Pittsburgh to Corpus Christi. This national network provides for the effective communication and mem- ber action that is essential to the association's effectiveness.

AWO members serve on any num- ber of AWO committees and confer- ences—which provide the opportu- nity for members to take an active role in directing policy formulation and the decision-making process of the association. The organizational structure of AWO's committees and conferences is dynamic, with task forces, special committees, ad hoc groups formed or dissolved as needs dictate—to meet quickly the rapidly changing needs of the industry.

AWO committees meet often, rotat- ing meeting sites among differnt cit- ies. Committee members meet di- rectly with Administration, regula- tory or Congressional officials, pro- viding valuable industry advice and consultation on important legisla- tive and regulatory decisions to those who need to know.

The many issues covered by AWO committees and conferences vary as widely as the interest and expertise of AWO members, ranging from de- veloping association policies and strategies on major waterways legis- lation, to refining Coast Guard regu- lations, from exchanging safety and training ideas to planning media strategy. AWO committees and con- ferences provide the vehicle for member involvement in these and other issues that directly affect its member companies' future.

Looking back on 1985, AWO pres- ident Joe Farrell notes that "The long and stormy voyage through the water transport industry's worst de- pression in its modern history con- tinued without relief." Mr. Farrell said that published statistics reveal that fully 18-20 percent of the com- panies which make up the industry ceased to exist between the begin- ning of 1984 and the end of 1985, and that "This year begins by beck- oning little hope for any substantial turnaround."

Nevertheless, Mr. Farrell said that there was no scarcity of chal- lenges for AWO in 1985—in the

Congress, in the executive branch and in the Courts—and that many of these challenges have serious po- tential for the industry his associa- tion represents. "The shower of federal regulatory and legislative initiatives, with all their potential impact on the indus- try, continued to rain-down appar- ently unconnected to the severe eco- nomic plight of the industry," Mr.

Farrell said.

The year 1986 offers a full plate of challenges to Mr. Farrell and

AWO's highly-competent staff.

Aside from the continuing debate over the threat of new user taxes, some of the issues highest on AWO's agenda for 1986 include: maintain- ing the sanctity of the Jones Act; solutions to overtonnage in the barge fleet; developing ways to ex- pand U.S. exports of bulk products; raising the industy's public profile; maritime liability legislation; Coast

Guard-OSHA jurisdiction for regu- lating uninspected vessels, and many others.

Of new and growing concern to

AWO's members and staff is the

Gramm-Rudman bill enacted late last year that forces about $200 bil- lion in federal budget reductions over the next five years. "Gramm-Rudman provides no method and little guidance on how to make the cuts," Mr. Farrell stated. "And at the same time it stimulates partisan confrontation and certain division between the executive and legislative branches in the process. What is certain is that our industry, like all others, will not escape the shadow of

Gramm-Rudman."

These issues, and more, make the success and effectiveness of AWO's mission all the more important in 48 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News