III 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 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’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MARCH 21, 2024 

Mr. MANCHIN (for himself and Mrs. CAPITO) submitted the following 

resolution; which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

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’’. 

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 transportationvessel and shipyard-related incidents, fatalities, and injuries, continue to improve the safe transportation of doVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:00 Mar 22, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR611.ATS SR611

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•SRES 611 ATS 

mestic 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 industry has significantly reduced fatalities and injuries in the operation of towing 

vessels: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates March 22, 2024, as ‘‘National 

3 Inland Waterways Workers Safety Awareness Day’’; 

4 (2) encourages relevant Federal, State, and 

5 local authorities in addition to related industry and 

6 worker groups to observe the day with appropriate 

7 programs and activities, with the goal of increasing 

8 safety awareness in and around towing-vessel em9 ployment; 


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•SRES 611 ATS 

1 (3) recognizes the need for deckhands, engi2 neers, masters and mates, shoreside workers, and 

3 other employees to remain safe while on the jobsite; 

4 (4) applauds and supports the efforts that the 

5 Coast Guard, American Waterways Operators, Mari6 time Trades Department, and other groups have 

7 taken to reduce the incidents of workplace injuries 

8 and fatalities in and around towing vessels; and 

9 (5) praises the companies and employers that 

10 operate safely and care for the health and safety of 

11 their workers. 

Æ 


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