Bouchard Transportation Co., Inc., the nation’s largest independently-owned ocean-going petroleum barge company, was honored by American Maritime Safety, Inc. (“AMS”)  with the 2014 AMS Tug & Barge Safety Award on Thursday, October 23, 2014.  The award, accepted by Morty Bouchard IV, Vice President of Operations & Sales, recognizes the implementation of outstanding compliance programs that serve to enhance crewmember efficiency and the safe operation of tug and barge vessels in the U.S. coastal waters.    AMS is a non-profit maritime trade association, which facilitates the maritime industry's compliance with international shipping protocols and U.S. Coast Guard regulations. The AMS consortium is comprised of more than 400 vessel owners and operators. It is the leading maritime industry association in the United States specializing in regulatory compliance, particularly with respect to drug and alcohol and harassment prevention policy.