46 USC § 15108 - National Towing Safety Advisory Committee

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s15108"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 15108 - National Towing Safety Advisory Committee"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "15108"
section_name: "National Towing Safety Advisory Committee"
chapter_number: 151
chapter_name: "NATIONAL MARITIME TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEES"
part_number: "K"
part_name: "National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title VI, § 601(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4285.)"
---


# § 15108. National Towing Safety Advisory Committee

**(a)** **Establishment.—** There is established a National Towing Safety Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the “Committee”).

**(b)** **Function.—** The Committee shall advise the Secretary on matters relating to shallow-draft inland navigation, coastal waterway navigation, and towing safety.

**(c)** **Membership.—**

**(1)** **In general.—** The Committee shall consist of 18 members appointed by the Secretary in accordance with this section and section 15109 of this chapter.

**(2)** **Expertise.—** Each member of the Committee shall have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience in matters relating to the function of the Committee.

**(3)** **Representation.—** Members of the Committee shall be appointed as follows:

**(A)** 7 members shall represent the barge and towing industry, reflecting a regional geographic balance.

**(B)** 1 member shall represent the offshore mineral and oil supply vessel industry.

**(C)** 1 member shall represent masters and pilots of towing vessels who hold active licenses and have experience on the Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

**(D)** 1 member shall represent masters of towing vessels in offshore service who hold active licenses.

**(E)** 1 member shall represent masters of active ship-docking or harbor towing vessels.

**(F)** 1 member shall represent licensed and unlicensed towing vessel engineers with formal training and experience.

**(G)** 2 members shall represent port districts, authorities, or terminal operators.

**(H)** 2 members shall represent shippers and, of the 2, 1 shall be engaged in the shipment of oil or hazardous materials by barge.

**(I)** 2 members shall represent the general public.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 115–282, title VI, § 601(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4285.)