2025 River Bell Awards Luncheon sets new attendance record
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The Seamens Church Institute\u2019s 2025 River Bell Awards Luncheon, one of the inland maritime industry\u2019s most prominent annual gatherings, was held in Paducah, Ky., on December 11. This year\u2019s luncheon welcomed 634 attendees, setting a new River Bell record, as the community came together to celebrate the industry and recognize outstanding leadership and service.<\/p>\n
The River Bell Award was presented to George G. Leavell, CEO of Wepfer Group, LLC. The River Legend Award honored William R. Barr of Amherst Madison and the Distinguished Service Award was given to Marty Hettel of American Commercial Barge Line.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Life Saving Awards recognized two heroic crews: the crew of the M\/V Susan Robinson <\/em>of Crounse Corporation, for rescuing mariners from a capsized vessel at the Olmsted Lock in June 2024; and the crew of the Mary Moran,<\/em> Moran Towing of New Orleans, honored for pulling mariners from the water following a towboat\u2013tanker collision on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans in late December 2023.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a fantastic gathering for this 25th River Bell, and we\u2019re truly proud of the maritime leaders we\u2019ve honored today,\u201d said Seamen\u2019s Church Institute President and Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt.<\/a> \u201cThe River Bell is a highlight of our year, and it\u2019s always a joy to come together with our maritime friends and colleagues to begin the holiday season. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, event chairs, and donors. The success of this annual event would not be possible without them.\u201d<\/p>\n The event raised $537,000 in support of SCI\u2019s Chaplaincy, Crisis Response, Advocacy, and Training programs for mariners.<\/p>\n