Title 46 — ShippingRelease 119-73

§15108 National Towing Safety Advisory Committee

Title 46 › Subtitle Subtitle II— - Vessels and Seamen › Part Part K— - National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees › Chapter CHAPTER 151— - NATIONAL MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEES › § 15108

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates a National Towing Safety Advisory Committee. It must advise the Secretary on shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterways, and towing safety. The Committee must have 18 members appointed by the Secretary under section 15109. Members must have relevant knowledge and experience. The membership is: 7 from the barge and towing industry (regionally balanced); 1 from offshore mineral and oil supply vessels; 1 licensed master or pilot with Western Rivers and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway experience; 1 licensed offshore towing master; 1 ship‑docking/harbor towing master; 1 towing‑vessel engineer (licensed or unlicensed); 2 port or terminal representatives; 2 shippers (one ships oil or hazardous materials by barge); and 2 members of the general public.

Full Legal Text

Title 46, §15108

Shipping — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There is established a National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).

(b)The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety.

(c)(1)The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.

(2)Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

(3)Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:

(A)7 members shall represent the barge and towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance.

(B)1 member shall represent the offshore mineral and oil supply vessel industry.

(C)1 member shall represent masters and pilots of towing vessels who hold active licenses and have experience on the Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

(D)1 member shall represent masters of towing vessels in offshore service who hold active licenses.

(E)1 member shall represent masters of active ship-docking or harbor towing vessels.

(F)1 member shall represent licensed and unlicensed towing vessel engineers with formal training and experience.

(G)2 members shall represent port districts, authorities, or terminal operators.

(H)2 members shall represent shippers and, of the 2, 1 shall be engaged in the shipment of oil or hazardous materials by barge.

(I)2 members shall represent the general public.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

46 U.S.C. § 15108

Title 46 — Shipping

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73