SCI Welcomes Inland Maritime at Record Setting River Bell
The 2025 River Bell Awards Luncheon, one of the inland maritime industry’s most prominent annual gatherings, was held in Paducah on December 11. This year’s 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.
Congratulations to our award recipients this year. 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.
This year’s Life Saving Awards recognized two heroic crews: the crew of the MV Susan Robinson of Crounse Corporation, for rescuing mariners from a capsized vessel at the Olmsted Lock in June 2025; and the crew of the Mary Moran, Moran Towing of New Orleans, honored for pulling mariners from the water following a towboat–tanker collision on the Lower Mississippi River near New Orleans in late December 2024.
2025 Lifesaving Award Recipients
“We had a fantastic gathering for this 25th River Bell, and we’re truly proud of the maritime leaders we’ve honored today,” said Seamen’s Church Institute President and Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt. “The River Bell is a highlight of our year, and it’s 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.”
The event raised $537,000 in support of SCI’s Chaplaincy, Crisis Response, Advocacy, and Training programs for mariners. Special thanks go to event chairs Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company and Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation for their leadership and enthusiasm, along with the dedicated River Bell committee members who helped make the event a success.
2025 River Bell Awards Recipients
2025 River Bell Awards – December 2025 | River Bell Award
Pictured left to right are Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; John Wepfer of Wepfer Group, LLC; George G. Leavell of Wepfer Group, LLC, recipient of the 2025 River Bell Award; and the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute.
2025 River Bell Awards – December 2025 | River Legend Award
Pictured left to right are Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute; William R. Barr of Amherst Madison, recipient of the River Legend Award; and Robert McCoy of Amherst Madison.
2025 River Bell Awards – December 2025 | Distinguished Service Award
Pictured left to right are Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute; Marty Hettel of American Commercial Barge Line, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award; and Mark Knoy, Chair of the Seamen’s Church Institute Board of Trustees.
2025 River Bell Awards – December 2025 | Lifesaving Award (Crounse Corporation)
Pictured left to right are Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; representatives of Crounse Corporation and six members of the crew of the M/V Susan Robinson, recipients of the 2025 Lifesaving Award; Mary McCarthy of Moran Towing Corporation and SCI Trustee; and the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute.
2025 River Bell Awards – December 2025 | Lifesaving Award (Moran Towing Corporation)
Pictured left to right are Damon Judd of Marquette Transportation, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; Aaron Barrett of Ingram Barge Company, River Bell Awards Committee Co-Chair; two members of the crew of the M/V Mary Moran, recipients of the 2025 Lifesaving Award; Mary McCarthy of Moran Towing Corporation and SCI Trustee; and the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute.