AEP Receives First COI

The mv. Capt. James Anderson, owned by AEP River Transportation, received a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the Coast Guard’s Huntington (W.Va.) Marine Safety Unit on July 20. This is the first line boat in the district to receive a COI as a previously uninspected vessel for Subchapter M compliance, according to AEP.

“I am proud of the entire crew of the mv. Capt. James Anderson for their commitment to excellence and continuous improvement efforts to meet these new Sub M regulations,” said Jeff Keifer, AEP managing director-boat operations.

Cmdr. Paul Mangini presented the COI to Capt. Troy Akers, who pilots the towboat. The mv. Capt. James Anderson is a 138- by 44-foot, twin-screw towboat built in 1977 by St. Louis Ship. AEP purchased the vessel in 2008.

A COI is issued to a vessel after the vessel has completed a thorough examination of safety equipment, machinery, pollution prevention equipment, navigation equipment, life-saving equipment and more.

AEP said in a press release that all of its boats will eventually receive their COIs over the next five years. Its towboat, the mv. Capt. Gerald Boggs, has completed its official inspection and will file for its COI this fall. Next year, AEP said two more of its vessels will be inspected for COIs.

Photo caption: The crew of the mv. Capt. James Anderson celebrates receiving a Certificate of Inspection (COI) from the U.S. Coast Guard. From left to right is Chris Blank with the Coast Guard, Dale Nedrow, Danny Marr, Mike Rogers, Bill Null, Matt Rieger, Juanita Landes, Jonathan Jordan, James Northup, Coast Guard Cmdr. Paul Mangini and Troy Akers. (Photo by Dee Harbrecht)