46 U.S.C. § 15108 — National Towing Safety Advisory Committee

(a) Establishment: The law creates a National Towing Safety Advisory Committee, called "the Committee" in this section. (b) Function: The Committee advises the Secretary on shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety. (c) Membership: (1) In general: The Committee has 18 members, appointed by the Secretary under this section and section 15109. (2) Expertise: Each member must have real expertise, knowledge, and experience related to the Committee's work. (3) Representation: (A) 7 members represent the barge and towing industry, balanced by region. (B) 1 member represents the offshore mineral and oil supply vessel industry. (C) 1 member represents masters and pilots of towing vessels with active licenses and experience on the Western Rivers and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. (D) 1 member represents masters of offshore towing vessels with active licenses. (E) 1 member represents masters of active ship-docking or harbor towing vessels. (F) 1 member represents licensed and unlicensed towing vessel engineers with formal training and experience. (G) 2 members represent port districts, authorities, or terminal operators. (H) 2 members represent shippers; 1 of those 2 must ship oil or hazardous materials by barge. (I) 2 members represent the general public.