We Work the Waterways will host its largest-ever Maritime Interaction Day this Thursday in downtown Owensboro, connecting roughly 300 high school students with maritime professionals from Kentucky and Indiana. The event will offer hands-on learning stations, live demonstrations, and direct conversations with those working in the inland waterways industry.
“We bring the industry to the students,” said Errin Howard, executive director of We Work the Waterways. “This event represents the strength of our river communities, bridging both sides of the Ohio River to show students that maritime careers are not only vital to our economy but also accessible right here in their hometowns.”
The event will be held at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, where students will rotate through Explorer Dock stations to learn about navigation, vessel operations, engineering, safety, shipping logistics, and other river-based careers. Organizers said the goal is to give students a tangible look at how the maritime industry supports local and regional economies, and to highlight how many career pathways are available along the inland waterways.
The Owensboro-Evansville region plays a major role in national river commerce. According to a release from the organization, the Ohio River moves more than 200 million tons of cargo each year, linking manufacturers, energy producers, and agricultural operations to global markets. Kentucky ranks among the top 10 states for inland waterway tonnage, while Indiana’s 400 miles of navigable waterways support a maritime economy that contributes more than $21 billion annually to the state’s GDP.
Thursday’s program will also emphasize the environmental and economic importance of the inland river system, which supports thousands of jobs across transportation, construction, engineering, and logistics.
Industry partners supporting the event include ARTCo, Corn Island Shipyard, Mulzer Crushed Stone, FORE/ORSANCO, Crounse Corporation, Riverview Boat and Tug Services, Marquette Transportation, Castlen Marine, Marine Solutions, Campbell Transportation Company, CGB Enterprises, USS LST 325, Old National Bank, American Commercial Barge Line, Ports of Indiana, Owensboro Riverport Authority, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, Evansville Marine Service, and Boatside Deliveries.
Organizers said Maritime Interaction Day underscores ongoing collaboration among education, industry, and community partners, all working to raise awareness about inland waterway careers and the workforce needed to sustain the region’s maritime future.
We Work the Waterways is a national outreach program dedicated to expanding understanding of maritime careers and the role America’s rivers and ports play in the country’s economy.
