Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. of Cenac Marine Services was given one of the first Certificate of Inspections by the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Coast Guard. The certificate, which was created by the Department of Homeland Security in 2016, ensures that those in the towing industry are following minimum safety standards for towing vessels, incorporating and building on the safeguards that members of the American Waterways Operators (AWO) have already put in place.
Subchapter M was designed by the Department of Homeland Security in 2016 due to a lack of safety regulations guiding those in America’s growing maritime towing industry. Since then, Subchapter M has elevated safety in the towing industry to historic levels, ensuring that those working the pristine waterways of Louisiana, the environment, and bordering lands are protected.
After receiving the Certificate of Inspections, third-generation owner and CEO of Cenac Marine Services, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr., expressed his commitment to safety on all his ships and was thankful to be honored with the certificate.
Arlen Benny Cenac Jr: A Commitment to Safety First
As a lifelong member of his community, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. is grateful for the opportunity to spend his days along the pristine Louisiana coast and waterways. In addition, he believes that Subchapter M continues to serve a critical role in ensuring that he and his employees can continue to spend their days out on the waters in a safe manner while also protecting Louisiana’s diverse ecosystem.
As a devout philanthropist, Benny Cenac Jr. is thankful for Subchapter M’s commitment to protecting the environment. During his tenure as CEO, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. has donated thousands to conservation efforts across his state and has even founded his own conservation efforts as owner of Golden Ranch Farms, Louisiana’s largest privately owned refuge, where he raises various animals, including deer, and alligators.
“My team has worked hard with regulating bodies to ensure that we are pioneers in this industry, and I’m proud to say they took on this Sub M project with the same work ethic as all projects set before them”. To mark the occasion, Coast Guard petty officers Andrew Walters, Joshua Mull and Cory Basso presented the certificate to Cenac team members Jeff Scott, Compliance Manager Dustin Walker and Safety Manager Tim Moore.
According to the American Waterways Operators website, Subchapter M provides two paths for compliance of towing vessel operators such as Cenac Towing. The first is an annual inspection by the U.S. Coast guard, while the other includes the implementation of a Coast Guard-accepted Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) – which has become more favorable among these corporations.
The TSMS option is not only the best way to promote continuous regulatory compliance and prevent accidents, but also provides vessel operators with more flexibility under the new requirements. Fortunately for vessel operators, the Coast Guard has confirmed that it will accept the AWO Responsible Carrier Program as a TSMS based on its assessment that the RCP is substantively equivalent to the ISM Code and achieves the audit frequency required by Subchapter M.
Since December 2017, per request of Arlen Benny Cenac Jr., Cenac Towing Company awarded a third party organization contract to the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in order to provide greater oversight of the Internal Survey program.
“Tugboat owners and operators are urgently seeking and evaluating options for Subchapter M compliance,” said ABS Americas Division President, Jamie Smith. “With the Certification of Inspection date rapidly approaching, ABS is guiding owners to find the right compliance solution – suited for their unique needs – while also considering operational demands.”
The contract establishes ABS as Cenac’s sole TPO, providing oversight of their Internal Survey program and additional support with ABS surveyors when required.
“Cenac Marine Services’ diligence in researching and aligning ourselves with other industry leading companies, has lead us to enter into a partnership with ABS to ensure that our safety and maintenance standards are in complete compliance with USCG Subchapter M requirements,” said Cenac Marine Services owner Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. “Cenac feels very confident that our relationship with ABS will be successful and only grow into the future.”
As Cenac Marine Service prepare to unveil their newest boats and vessels, Arlen Benny Cenac Jr. expressed his excitement to receive future certificates of inspection. Cenac Marines Services and its team have always taken pride in their safety standards and continue to welcome new ways to ensure safety remains of utmost priority for all parties involved – building onto Benny Cenac Jr’s commitment to safety first.
Learn more about Benny Cenac Jr.’s philanthropic work, Cenac Marine Services, and Subchapter M.