ALCOAST 151/18 - APR 2018 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 231046 APR 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5P//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N16732//
ALCOAST 151/18
COMDTNOTE 16732
SUBJ:  WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN
MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. USCG Marine Safety Manual Volume V: Investigations and Enforcement, COMDTINST
M16000.10 (series)
B. COMDT (CG-INV) Policy Letter 01-16
1. We are pleased to announce the winners of the Congressman James Sener
Award for excellence in marine investigations. The investigators cited
below are recognized for conducting the most distinguished marine casualty
investigations for CY17.
2. Background: The Coast Guard’s Marine Investigations program has been a
vital arm of its marine safety activities since 1838 when the program’s
predecessor, the Steamboat Inspection Service, was established. In 1832 alone,
about 14 percent of the steam vessels in operation were destroyed by explosions
that also killed more than 1,000 people. These explosions occurred largely
because there were no inspection laws or rules of navigation. In some cases,
mariner incompetence, negligence, and/or misconduct were causal factors.
As a result, the U.S. Congress established inspection laws and created the
steamboat inspection service. Congressman James Sener of Virginia sponsored
the legislation that created the modern marine investigations program on
20 June 1874. Congressman Sener’s bill established an exceptionally effective
system for identifying and eliminating unsafe conditions in the marine
transportation system. The Sener Award honors and recalls his contribution to
the safety of mariners, vessels, and the marine environment by recognizing truly
exceptional marine casualty investigations.
3. The criteria for the Platinum level of the Sener Award recognizes superior
investigative prowess among major marine casualties including formal investigations,
while the Gold level highlights outstanding investigative work completed on
incidents that do not reach the level of a major marine casualty.
4. Per the requirements of REF (A) the award winning teams are listed below:
Platinum Lead Investigator   Convening Authority     Misle No/Vessel
LCDR Daniel Every            SEC Sault Sainte Marie  5903173/Roger Blough
Investigative team: Not Applicable
Gold Lead Investigator       Convening Authority     Misle No/Vessel
MSSD3 David Creager          MSU Lake Charles        6065996/LA 1293GB
Investigative team: LTJG Steve Conde
                    Mr. Dale Metcalf
Gold Lead Investigator       Convening Authority     Misle No/Vessel
LCDR Stefanie Hodgdon        SEC San Diego           5995701/Invicta
Investigative team: LCDR Amanda Fahrig
                    LCDR John Davis
                    MSSD4 Reed Breitenstein
                    MSSE3 Chris Keister
                    MSSD2 Andrew Wall
5. COMDT (CG-INV) appreciates the professionalism and effort of all investigating
officers who submitted investigations for Sener Award consideration.
6. The Sener Award board consisted of the following:
    LCDR Pedro Mendoza, COMDT (CG-INV-1)
    LCDR Tonya Lim, COMDT (CG-CVC-2)
    LCDR Baxter Smoak, COMDT (CG-INV-2)
    LCDR Yancee Mclemore, COMDT (CG-791)
    LT Niya Williams, COMDT (CG-FAC-1)
    LT Joshua Weidman, COMDT (CG-INV-1)
7. RDML John P. Nadeau, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.