The American Waterways Operators

Posted by Gary O'Rielly 
on Jan 15, 2013
 
The guest speaker on January 11th was Charlie Constanzo, Vice President-Pacific Region of American Waterways Operators--the national trade association for the tugboat and barge industry. Constanzo's work consist of advocacy on behalf of the 350 AWO member companies throughout the country. He works to promote his members in their local communities and co-chairs the AWO/Coast Guard Regional Safety Partnership. He frequently advises the Governor on matters of coastal issues and marine spatial planning.

The American Waterways Operators represent the largest segment of the U.S. domestic fleet with over 4,000 tugs and towboats and 27,000 barges. His organization is a leader in marine safety and environmental protection. The American Waterways Operators serves as a partner and resource for federal, state and local governments. The west coast is the leading edge of his industry interfacing with the U.S. Coast Guard and the US Army Corp of Engineers. The Ballard Locks is one of the largest locks in the United States not so much in tonnage but in boat, ship and barge traffic. The Organization is responsible for their carrier program, Coast Guard safety partnership and cast a large carbon foot print in the Seattle and Washington area where emissions are way down. The biggest issue is the movement of oil over waterways, air emissions and vessel discharges. The AWO has been successful in driving down oil spills. The organization has a 99.6% decline in oil spills and is always embracing new technologies.

Another really great weekly program.