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The Coast Guard announced in the Federal Register Jan. 14, 2020, that it is seeking applications for membership on the recently established National Towing Safety Advisory Committee. The committee was established Dec. 4, 2018, by the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018, to advise the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety.

Completed applications should reach the Coast Guard on or before March 16, 2020, by one of the following methods:

• By Email: Matthew.D.Layman@uscg.mil (preferred).
• By Fax: 202-372-8382; ATTN: Mr. Matthew Layman, Alternate Designated Federal Officer; or
• By Mail: Mr. Matthew Layman, Alternate Designated Federal Officer, Commandant (CG-OES-2), U.S. Coast Guard Stop 7509, 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20593-7509.

Applicants should send a cover letter expressing interest in an appointment to the National Towing Safety Advisory Committee and a resume detailing the applicant’s experience. Biographies will not be accepted.

The committee is required to hold meetings at least once a year in accordance with 46 U.S.C. 15109(a). The meetings are generally held in cities that have a high concentration of towing-industry and related businesses.

All members serve at their own expense and receive no salary or other compensation from the Federal Government. However, members may be reimbursed for travel and per diem in accordance with Federal Travel Regulations.

Under provisions in 46 U.S.C. 15109(f)(6), membership terms expire on December 31 of the third full year after the effective date of appointment. In this initial solicitation for members, the Coast Guard will consider applications for all 18 positions:

• Seven members to represent the barge and towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance;
• One member to represent the offshore mineral and oil supply vessel industry;
• One member to represent masters and pilots of towing vessels who hold active licenses and have experience on the Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway;
• One member to represent masters of towing vessels in offshore service who hold active licenses;
• One member to represent masters of active ship-docking or harbor towing vessels;
• One member to represent licensed and unlicensed towing vessel engineers with formal training and experience;
• Two members to represent port districts, authorities, or terminal operators;
• Two members to represent shippers and, of the two, one engaged in the shipment of oil or hazardous materials by barge; and
• Two members drawn from the general public.

For full details on the application process and criteria, view the Federal Register notice.

This blog is not a replacement or substitute for the formal posting of regulations and updates or existing processes for receiving formal feedback of the same. Links provided on this blog will direct the reader to official source documents, such as the Federal Register, Homeport and the Code of Federal Regulations. These documents remain the official source for regulatory information published by the Coast Guard.