The American Waterways Operators (AWO) and the National Safe Boating Council have released a new educational video aimed at helping recreational boaters operate safely around tugboats, towboats, barges, and other commercial traffic on shared waterways.
The three-minute video, Sharing the Water: Safe Boating on Multi-Use Waterways, outlines basic practices for avoiding close-quarters situations with working vessels. The guidance focuses on several common scenarios, including how to safely pass or overtake a tow, maintaining adequate distance during maneuvering operations, and avoiding crossing ahead of a tug or tow where the operator may have restricted visibility.
The video also addresses areas around commercial vessels where smaller craft may be difficult for captains to see, emphasizing the blind spots created by tow configurations, deck equipment, and vessel size. Additional tips cover situational awareness, communication, and understanding a commercial vessel’s limited ability to stop or change course quickly.
AWO said the partnership with the Safe Boating Council builds on ongoing industry efforts to reduce incidents between recreational and commercial operators as waterway use continues to grow.
