America's Inland Waterways

River Tales:

Mike's home away from home was the M/V Peter Fanchi which has been renamed the M/V Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr. For thirty-five years, he was leaving his home and his family every other month; and finding a towboat to ride up and down the rivers. Ah well, it made us a living!

• Take a tour of the M/V Peter Fanchi, Mike's home away from home. Living on a towboat isn't quite like living in a real home. Sample a slightly alien culture.

• I am Haunted by Waters is a talk Mike gave at our Unitarian Church in 1996. If you've ever wondered what keeps Old Towboaters coming back for more . . .

• In June of 1999, Mike was asked to make a river trip on the Christopher Columbus Replica Ship Niña. It was a memorable trip. It may never happen again. Mike took his camera with him.

• You simply gotta see this Slide Show; then read the rest of the Story.

Links to World Wide Web sites about America's Rivers and the River Transportation Industry:

Mike works for Ingram Barge Company the largest operator of Towboats and Barges on America's inland waterways.
The Waterways Journal is the Weekly Trade Newspaper for the Inland Waterway Industry.
The United States Coast Guard regulates commercial traffic on the rivers as well as the commercial traffic that approaches our coasts.
United States Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners are updated weekly.
Few pleasure boaters seem to be aware of the Rules of the Road.
The most recent revision of the U. S Army Corps of Engineers' report on restructuring navigation on the Upper Mississippi and the Illinois Rivers.
Three states working together on a common project? Imagine a Mid-America Intermodal Authority Port District centered around Quincy, Illinois!
MARC 2000 is a coalition whose primary goal is to create a series of more efficient, 1200 ft. locks.
The Seamen's Church Institute Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY provides valuable continuing education to seasoned towboat pilots.
The River Industry Bulletin Board is the source for vast quantities of river related information.
The National Transportation Safety Board investigates every accident in every mode of transportation.
The Environmental Defense fund is an advocate for the health of the waters of the world.
American Rivers, an online community of river activists and friends.
Little River Books is a specialized source for books about America's Inland Waterways.

The University of Missouri at St. Louis' Mercantile Library houses the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library; a major repository of information about the Inland Waterways System.

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