The 2025 River Bell Awards in Paducah, Ky., Dec. 11 honored two towboat crews for heroic 2023 and 2024 rescues on the Lower Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
The annual River Bell Award was presented to George G. Leavell, CEO of Wepfer Group, LLC. The River Legend Award honored William R. Barr of Amherst Madison. The Distinguished Service Award was given to Marty Hettel of American Commercial Barge Line.
This year’s Life Saving Awards recognized two heroic crews: the crew of the MV Susan Robinson of Crounse Corporation, for rescuing mariners from a capsized vessel at the Olmsted Lock and Dam on the Ohio in June 2024; and the crew of the Mary Moran, with Moran Towing of New Orleans, honored for pulling mariners from the water following a towboat–tanker collision on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans in late December 2023.
This year’s awards luncheon welcomed 634 attendees, setting a new River Bell record, as the community came together to celebrate the industry and recognize outstanding leadership and service.
“We had a fantastic gathering for this 25th River Bell, and we’re truly proud of the maritime leaders we’ve honored today,” said the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, the Seamen’s Church Institute president and executive director.
“The River Bell is a highlight of our year, and it’s always a joy to come together with our maritime friends and colleagues to begin the holiday season. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, event chairs, and donors. The success of this annual event would not be possible without them.”
The event raised $537,000 in support of SCI’s Chaplaincy, Crisis Response, Advocacy, and Training programs for mariners. SCI thanked event chairs Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company and Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation for their leadership and enthusiasm, along with dedicated River Bell committee members who helped make the event a success.
