Fighting for America's Waterway Operators
TUGTOW represents ship-assist operators, harbor tugs, dredging companies, and nearshore marine contractors fighting federal over-regulation and TPO cost creep on America's waterways.
United We Navigate — Divided We Sink. Join the Fight for Fair Regulation.
Who We Represent
TUGTOW is the voice of America's working waterway operators — the men and women who keep commerce moving through our ports, harbors, and inland waterways every day.
Ship-Assist & Harbor Tugs
Operators providing essential vessel-assist services in ports and harbors nationwide.
Dredging Companies
Contractors maintaining navigable waterways and critical port infrastructure.
Nearshore Marine Contractors
Specialized operators working in coastal and nearshore environments.
Inland Waterway Operators
Towing and utility operators on rivers, lakes, and inland commercial waterways.
The Issues We Fight to Change
OCMI Enforcement Inconsistencies
Let's end the geographic lottery of Subchapter M enforcement. Inshore operators should not face different interpretations of the same Subchapter M rule from one Captain of the Port zone to the next. TUGTOW advocates for consistent, nationally accountable enforcement.
TPO Oversight & Regulatory Drift
Operators should not pay premium audit costs for paperwork, maintenance schedules, and structural standards the Coast Guard never wrote. We seek clear limits and meaningful accountability.
Rigid Drydock & ISE Windows
Drydock backlogs should not idle safe vessels. TUGTOW supports practical extensions and acceptance of proven underwater ROV imaging for hull inspections.
Over-Regulation of Low-Risk Operations
Let's match safety rules to actual risk. A captive fleeting boat or small construction tug should not carry the same administrative burden as a long-haul line boat pushing 30 barges downriver.
Five changes that restore fairness — and keep safety first.
Reformed Appeal Process
Centralized appeals through TVNCOE with mandatory 48-hour written citations and a fair, transparent review process.
TPO Caps & Limitations
Statutory caps on TPO scope and fees, with a whistleblower portal to report non-statutory overreach.
Automatic Inspection Extensions & ROV/Drone Inspections
90-day Good Faith Extensions for operators acting in compliance, plus approval of ROV and drone technology for underwater inspections.
Subchapter M Lite for Captive Support Craft
A simplified compliance pathway for vessels operating within a 3-mile radius of their home facility.
Audit Exemptions for Low-Risk Operations
Replace full SMS audits with a simplified safety checklist for documented low-risk operations.
Leadership & Membership
TUGTOW is governed by working operators — people who live the regulations we fight to change.
Officers
Officer information coming soon. Contact us to learn about leadership opportunities.
Learn More →Board of Directors
Board member information coming soon. We are actively recruiting industry leaders.
Learn More →Member Organizations
Member organization directory coming soon. Join TUGTOW to be listed here.
Learn More →Stand With the Operators
America's waterways don't run themselves. Join TUGTOW and add your voice to the fight for fair, sensible regulation.