AWO Honors Waterways Heroes During Winter Safety Meeting

The American Waterways Operators (AWO) announced its latest class of the American Waterways HERO Award recipients during the organization’s winter safety meeting, held in New Orleans February 21–23. The event marked the first anniversary of the Honor and Excellence in Rescue Operations (HERO) Award, which documents and recognizes rescue efforts by AWO member company employees who demonstrate selflessness, skill and bravery.

“Today, we are gathered to celebrate exceptional individuals and honor their remarkable actions, which can serve to inspire us all,” said Mike Breslin, director of safety and sustainability for AWO, speaking during the winter safety meeting. “We want to express our deepest gratitude for these everyday heroes working on the nation’s rivers, coastal waters and Great Lakes. These men and women, their bravery, exemplifies our industry’s enduring commitment to safety.”

Breslin went on to recognize the following vessels, companies and crew members for their excellence in rescue operations over the past year:

• the crew of Marquette Transportation’s mv. C. Michael Reeves, including Capt. Lee Klaproth, Alfred Taylor and Octavius Drones, who rescued a young woman in distress;

• the crew of Strategic Towing Services’ mv. Miss Carter W, including tankerman Craig Burgh, whose “decisive actions prevented a potential man overboard incident”;

• the crew of Crescent Marine Towing’s mv. Captain Walter, including Capt. Deaqueal Littles, relief captain Allek Wade, James Anderson and Doug Hall, who braved treacherous conditions to rescue fellow mariners;

• Capt. Jack Rice and engineer Tony Ayres from Kirby’s mv. Caldwell, who rescued a person in distress from the waters near Dodge Island within the Port of Miami, along with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard and the local fire department;

• the crew members of Moran Towing’s tugs Ann Moran and Dorothy Moran, who responded to rescue and support the crew of a capsized vessel. Crew members recognized included Brett Hannon, David Fuller, Conner Deaton, Tommy Brooks, Jerry Donnelly, Cliff Gorden, Chris Russom, Steven Lee, James Stoddard, Skyler Dionne, Trenton Underwood, Ralph Price and Daniel Underwood;

• the crew of the Lynne Moran, including Capt. Edward Lucas, mate Evan Kinkel, William Flynn, deckhand Roman Arabski, and deckhand trainee Aaron Arabski, who rescued several recreational boaters who had been overboard for more than an hour;

• the crew of Kirby’s mv. Eloy Rivera, including Capt. Neil Melancon, advanced tankermen Aidan Foley and Chadrick Yearling, and pilot Michael White, who saved a mariner in distress;

• the crew of Kirby’s mv. Port Eads, including Mario Paredes, Nic Ougel, Corey Durbin, James Burch and Josh Jackson, who rescued nine people from a pleasure craft in distress;

• crew members from Southern Devall’s mv. Larry Tilley, who rescued people in distress on the Arkansas River;crew members recognized included Capt. Mike Plunkett, pilot Johnathon Perry, tankerman John Redus and deckhand Tanner Murphy;

• crew members aboard Southern Devall’s mv. Lucas Paul Devall, including Capt. Philip Jesse, tankerman Brody Greer and tankerman Merida Shirley, who responded to a capsized vessel and rescued two individuals;

• the crew of Enterprise Marine Services’ mv. Madeline, including Capt. Brad Nunez, pilot Ryan Usea, tankerman Colman Cassidy and deckhand Hayden Hawthorne, who responded promptly to a distress call;

• the crew of Canal Barge Company’s mv. Hallie M. Merrick, including Capt. Mark Mier, pilot Emil Whitis, Corey Rogers, Gary Bush and Kadeem Coffey, who saved a crew member from a pilot boat that was aflame and whose firefighting skills minimized property damage;

• the crew of Vane Brother’s tug Red Hook, including Capt. James Ward, mate Kevin Marshall, engineer Hunter Parks and deckhand Joe Carmichael, who “demonstrated exceptional seamanship and swift action, with decisive maneuvering, that averted disaster”;

• the crew of ACBL’s mv. American Reliance, including Capt. Victor Dardar and tankerman Ricardo Paige, who rescued a fishing boat in distress; and

• the crew of Parker Towing Company’s mv. San D and ACBL’s mv. Safety Star, who rescued two adults and two children after their boat capsized near Mobile, Ala. Parker Towing crew members included pilot Nick Verdugo and deckhand Darius Thomas, while the ACBL crew included Capt. Arthur Whitman, pilot Jason Quinn, mate Michael Howell, lead deckhand Timothy Harbeson, deckhand Martez Wiley and deckhand Shaquille Taylor.

“These stories are a powerful reminder of the critical role each mariner plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of the nation’s waterways, fellow mariners and the community at large,” Breslin said. “Congratulations to each of the awardees for their exemplary acts of heroism. May their actions serve as a beacon, guiding us in our shared commitment to safety and excellence on our waterways.”