TVIB Announces Legacy Award Winner
Each year, the Towing Vessel Inspection Bureau (TVIB) awards the Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award to an individual who has embodied professional leadership, commitment to service and an unwavering dedication to further the inland maritime industry. On April 17, the TVIB announced that the 2026 Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award will be posthumously awarded to Joseph “Joe” M. Tyson, senior vice president of operations at Canal Barge Company (CBC).
Tyson passed away on August 1, 2025, at the age of 63. He was born April 27, 1962, in the Bronx, New York. He graduated from SUNY Maritime in 1984 with a
Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering and a Third Assistant Engineer License of Steam and Motor Vessels. Tyson dedicated his 41-year career to Canal Barge Company, a career that TVIB described as profoundly influential to the industry, dedicated to safety and committed to mentoring the next generation of maritime leaders.
Tyson’s dedication to the maritime industry extended outside his role at CBC. He was involved with the Seamen’s Church Institute and The American Waterways Operators (AWO), where he served as chairman of safety leadership from 2014 to 2020. He worked with industry groups such as the River Industry Executive Task Force (RIETF) to ensure the continued advancement of safety procedures, management systems and towing vessel standards.
“Throughout his career, Joe was known as a steadfast champion of safety,” TVIB said in its announcement. “His leadership helped establish and strengthen the safety culture at Canal Barge Company, shaping policies and practices that continue to guide operations today. The standards and expectations he set have had a lasting impact, supporting safe operations across crews, fleets and the broader industry.”
Following Tyson’s passing, Canal Barge Company renamed its Courage to Care Award, a recognition for the demonstration of exceptional safety leadership within all areas of CBC operations, the Joseph M. Tyson Courage to Care Award in his honor.
“Joe Tyson will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments, but for the way he approached his work and his relationships with others – with integrity, humility and a genuine commitment to doing what was right,” TVIB said. “TVIB is proud to honor Joseph M. Tyson with the 2026 Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award and to recognize the lasting impact he has made on the inland marine industry.”
The award will be presented by the TVIB and The Waterways Journal at the 2026 Inland Marine Expo (IMX) in Nashville, Tenn., at the conclusion of the 40 Under 40 Awards luncheon on May 29.
Featured photo caption: The late Joseph “Joe” M. Tyson (right), winner of the Mike Rushing Legacy Service Award, helps to lead safety training. (Photo courtesy of Canal Barge)
