[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2519-S2520]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 611--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 
22, 2024, AS ``NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS WORKERS SAFETY AWARENESS DAY'' 
  AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF ``NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS 
                     WORKERS SAFETY AWARENESS DAY''

  Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mrs. Capito) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                               S. Res. 64

       Whereas workers in the national inland waterways system 
     play a crucial role, navigating ships, barges, and tugboats 
     through the navigable waters of the United States, loading 
     and unloading barges and transport vessels, and cleaning and 
     caring for vessels and shipyards;
       Whereas the United States needs to reduce transportation-
     vessel and shipyard-related incidents, fatalities, and 
     injuries, continue to improve the safe transportation of 
     domestic cargo by towboat, tugboat, and barge, and prevent 
     employee fatalities;
       Whereas, in 2022, there were 4 fatalities and 101 injuries 
     amongst towing vessel crew and related employees;
       Whereas the safety and well-being of deckhands, engineers, 
     masters and mates, and shoreside workers are of the utmost 
     importance, and it is crucial to equip them with the 
     necessary knowledge and resources to perform their duties 
     effectively;
       Whereas towboat, tugboat, and barge transportation are 
     among the safest and most efficient modes of domestic freight 
     transportation in the United States;
       Whereas the Coast Guard-American Waterways Operators Safety 
     Partnership represents a unique public-private partnership to 
     improve vessel safety; and
       Whereas the establishment and enforcement of safety 
     standards in the towing vessel

[[Page S2520]]

     industry has significantly reduced fatalities and injuries in 
     the operation of towing vessels: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates March 22, 2024, as ``National Inland 
     Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day'';
       (2) encourages relevant Federal, State, and local 
     authorities in addition to related industry and worker groups 
     to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities, 
     with the goal of increasing safety awareness in and around 
     towing-vessel employment;
       (3) recognizes the need for deckhands, engineers, masters 
     and mates, shoreside workers, and other employees to remain 
     safe while on the jobsite;
       (4) applauds and supports the efforts that the Coast Guard, 
     American Waterways Operators, Maritime Trades Department, and 
     other groups have taken to reduce the incidents of workplace 
     injuries and fatalities in and around towing vessels; and
       (5) praises the companies and employers that operate safely 
     and care for the health and safety of their workers.

                          ____________________