WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 2nd — On the occasion of National Maritime Day, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) conducted its annual Safety at Sea Seminar and hosted the USCG’s AMVER Awards on May 22nd. The event was held in person at the Washington, D.C., offices of ABS during the second annual National Maritime Week.
“Our industry, which is truly the ‘Engine of Global Trade’ is at long last getting the attention and support that it deserves” stated NAMEPA Co-Founder and CEO of NAMEPA, along with being a co-author of ZERO POINT FOUR- How US Leadership in Maritime will Secure America’s Future. “As a nation, we cannot afford the risks of not having a strong maritime industry which creates vulnerabilities in national, economic, energy and food, climate and workforce securities. National Maritime Week, and NAMEPA’s focus on Safety at Sea, come at a time when we need to underscore the safety and protections of our industry.”
Joe Hughes, Chairman of the Managers of the American Club and the Chairman of NAMEPA, kicked off the seminar by giving an overview of the seminar and insights on risks regarding safety at sea. The Keynote address was given by Joan Bondareff, Senior Counsel of Blank Rome Government Relations LLP. Ms. Bondareff’s talk, entitled A Maritime Renaissance from the View of Congress and the White House, discussed how the Administration’s interest in maritime is resulting in action.
The first panel, “Keeping Shipping Safe and Secure”, was moderated by David Walker, Vice President of Global Government Services at ABS. This panel included RADM Jim Watson (USCG Ret.), who talked about “Maritime Security Today”, referencing the SHIPS for America Act, the Executive Order on Shipbuilding from the White House which calls for “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance”, and the book he co-authored, Zero Point Four. Cynthia Hudson, CEO of Shoreline Hudson, talked about cyber risk, while Allen Krogsgaard, Business Development Director for DNV, addresses alternative fuels. Mike Gallagher, Senior Managing Director for Witt O’Brien’s, gave us an in-depth look at the Francis Key Bridge collapse and salvage.
The “Keeping our Mariners Safe and Secure” panel, moderated by the Americas Lead at Cargill, Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, included Deacon Paul Rosenblum, President of NAMMA and NAMEPA Board Member, who gave an update about the state of our mariners today. Maria Kolitsida, Founder of Signal Fusion AI, talked about how her company identifies mental health concerns in mariners before they become a major problem using AI. NAMEPA’s own Executive Director, Molly Dushay, spoke about what is needed to add to our ranks of mariners and provided a recap from NAMEPA’s Regional Gathering that took place the day prior.
The seminar concluded with the presentation of the AMVER Awards, which were delivered by Captain Robert Compher, Director of Inspections and Compliance for the United States Coast Guard with the support of UACG AMVER Director, Benjamin Strong. The 2024 AVMER Awards were awarded to over one hundred different companies. They included Dann Ocean Towing, Moran Towing, TOTE Maritime, Ocean Services, Pasha Group, Vane Line, and Olympic Tug and Barge who appeared in person to accept this important recognition.
The Safety at Sea Seminar and AMVER Awards are made possible with support from sponsors, including the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Alaska Chadux Network, The American Club, Blank Rome, Cargill, Chevron, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), DNV, Dorian LPG, MOL Chemical Carriers, International Seaways, Sealift, Navios Maritime Partners, OPA 90 Forum, The Pasha Group, Port Everglades, Scorpio, Signal Fusion AI, and Wasteline Solutions.
