---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 15108"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "15108"
heading: "National Towing Safety Advisory Committee"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/15108"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part K — National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees"
  - "Chapter 151 — National Maritime Transportation Advisory Committees"
---

# §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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) 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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) in accordance with this section and [section 15109](/usc/46/15109.md) 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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=28) supply vessel industry.
    - (C) 1 member shall represent [masters](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) and pilots of [towing vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) who hold active [licenses](/usc/46/12101.md?p=b-2) and have experience on the Western Rivers and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
    - (D) 1 member shall represent [masters](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) of [towing vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) in offshore service who hold active [licenses](/usc/46/12101.md?p=b-2).
    - (E) 1 member shall represent [masters](/usc/46/10101.md?p=1) of active ship-docking or harbor [towing vessels](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54).
    - (F) 1 member shall represent licensed and unlicensed [towing vessel](/usc/46/2101.md?p=54) 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](/usc/46/2101.md?p=28) or [hazardous materials](/usc/46/2101.md?p=17) by barge.
    - (I) 2 members shall represent the general public.

## Source credit

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