American Maritime Safety Presents 2015 Safety Awards

American Maritime Safety, Inc. (“AMS”), held its 2015 Annual Membership Meeting and Safety Awards Ceremony at the Yale University Club in New York City. Recipients of this year’s AMS Safety Awards were Alaska Tanker Company, Crowley Maritime Corporation, Reinauer Transportation, and Seabulk Tankers, Inc.

Attendees enjoyed a distinguished list of guest speakers who addressed a number of topics specifically requested by AMS member companies. These current topics included problems posed by synthetic drugs, the recent surge in heroin use, religion-based hostile work environment claims, the safety impact of poor nutrition, as well as U.S. Coast Guard drug and alcohol compliance issues.

Following the guest speaker presentations, the AMS Safety Advisory Committee presented this year’s Safety Awards in recognition of member companies’ dedication to preserving the marine environment and promoting safe vessel navigation, operations and maritime work practices. These Safety Awards are designed to recognize vessel operators for their proactive efforts toward achieving safe and responsible vessel practices.

Alaska Tanker Company (“ATC”) received the Tanker Vessel Safety Award, which recognizes the implementation of safe working practices for vessel personnel that serve to promote the safe navigation and operation of tanker vessels calling at U.S. ports. “Since the company was formed in 1999, the men and women of ATC have been recognized for exceptional performance by state environmental regulatory agencies, legislators and citizen advisory councils,” commented AMS President Lee Seham. ATC is also a past recipient of the Rear Admiral William Benkert “Osprey” Award, which is presented by the U.S. Coast Guard to members of the marine industry for outstanding achievements in marine environmental protection.

“Alaska Tanker Company is honored and proud to be a recipient of the AMS 2015 Tanker Vessel Safety Award,” said ATC CEO Anil Mathur. “Safe vessel operations and compliance with USCG regulations are cornerstones of our mission to provide ‘Quality service with no accidents, no harm to people and no damage to the environment.’”

Crowley Maritime Corporation received the American Maritime Safety Award, which recognizes the implementation of a drug and alcohol awareness program for crewmembers that perform safety sensitive functions on vessels calling at U.S. ports. “Crowley evinces a determination to not just meet, but exceed U.S. Coast Guard standards relating to the prevention of substance abuse,” commented AMS President Lee Seham. “We see this with respect to testing levels, training programs, and Crowley’s pro-active efforts to identify new forms of substance abuse in the general population and prevent their introduction into the maritime community.”

“Crowley has a long, historical focus on safety and we are always honored when organizations such as AMS recognize our prioritization of safe operations,” said Charlie Nalen, Vice President of Safety, Security, Quality and Environmental Stewardship. “Over the years, we have worked to enhance our safety culture resulting in a continuing reduction in incidents and increased protection of people, property and the environment –setting the tone for our employees to assume accountability for their own personal safety, as well as that of those around them. This focus has been successful as is evidenced by this prestigious recognition.”

“Each company in the Crowley family places the highest emphasis on individual safety, security, environmental protection and customer satisfaction. Our Management System processes ensure a safe, secure and healthy workplace; protection of the environment and quality service for our customers.

This system is critical to our performance and upholding it is the responsibility of all employees. We fulfill safety expectations by:

• Operating our vessels and facilities in compliance with regulations and best practices.

• Promoting the health, safety and security of our employees, while ensuring the safety and security of our vessels, equipment and facilities.

• Continually improving Environmental Stewardship through pollution prevention and protection of the environment.

• Following procedures, speaking up and staying engaged.

• Managing operations through a continual improvement process.

• Providing safety, security, environmental and quality objectives.

• Providing services to our customers in conformance with management system processes.

• Ensuring that the job is done right the first time, every time.”

Reinauer Transportation received the Tug & Barge Safety Award, which recognizes the implementation of outstanding compliance programs that serve to enhance crewmember efficiency and the safe operation of tug and barge vessels in U.S. coastal waters.

“We see in Reinauer a laudable ambition to set ever higher standards with respect to occupational health and safety,” observed AMS President Lee Seham.

Reinauer’s workplace safety program is designed to comply with Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 (OSHAS 18001), a demanding international standard for occupational health and safety management. Reinauer’s commitment to this standard has served to strengthen its safety management system, facilitate the identification of hazards, assess potential operational risks, and create controls to manage these risks. The end result has been to reduce workplace incidents, cut related costs and downtime, and to enhance the loyalty and dedication of Reinauer’s highly skilled workforce.

Effective April 10, 2014, Reinauer was certified by the American Bureau of Shipping as a HSQE Company. Having previously maintained an SQE (Safety, Quality and Environmental) certification, the “H” (for Health) was added in recognition of Reinauer’s continuing commitment to deliver the highest quality service while providing a commitment to health, safety and the environment.

Seabulk Tankers, Inc., received the Safe Vessel Navigation & Operation Award, which recognizes the implementation of training and educational programs for crewmembers that serve to protect the marine environment by reducing marine casualties.

“The first thing you notice when you board a Seabulk vessel are the words ‘SAFETY FIRST’ emblazoned across the width of the ship,” observed AMS President Lee Seham. “And when you work with the crewmembers, you can see that this operational standard is not just a slogan; it has become part of the corporate culture.”

Seabulk Tankers places environmental and operational safety as its first priority, embracing the marine industry’s goals of eliminating environmental pollution from tankers and keeping its mariners safe at all times. Accordingly, Seabulk Tankers is trusted by its customers to operate in some of the most environmentally sensitive areas of the U.S., from the pristine waters of Alaska to the Florida coast.

Through its highly skilled and experienced management team, both ashore and at sea, Seabulk Tankers is dedicated to providing its customers with safe, efficient and reliable marine transportation services. The company is recognized as one of the most progressive and innovative in the marine transportation business.

AMS is a non-profit maritime trade association that facilitates the maritime industry's compliance with international shipping protocols and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regulations. The AMS consortium is comprised of more than 400 vessel owners and operators. It is the leading maritime industry association specializing in regulatory compliance in the United States.