III 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 611 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 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 industry has significantly reduced fatalities and injuries in the operation of towing vessels: Now, therefore, be it