Responsible Carrier Program Major Factor in Oil Spill Reduction

The recent U.S. Coast Guard Report to Congress released May 7, 2012 on Improvements to Reduce Human Error and Near Miss Incidents cited the Responsible Carrier Program (RCP) developed by the American Waterways Operators (AWO) as a key significant factor in the decline in oil spills from the towing industry since the late 1990’s. The report was mandated by the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010, which directed the USCG to identify the types of human error that could cause oil spills and the most frequent types of near-miss oil spill incidents involving vessels, identify gaps, and make recommendations for improvements. Canal Barge Company is proud to be fully compliant with the AWO Responsible Carrier Program and believe that Safety Management Systems like the RCP are the best way to achieve our goal of zero incidents.

Click here to read the June 8, 2012 AWO Newsletter which featured a story on the report. To access the full report given to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, click here.