ALCOAST 351/19 - NOV 2019 2018 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 121423 NOV 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5P//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N16732//
ALCOAST 351/19
COMDTNOTE 16732
SUBJ:  2018 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN
MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 151117 FEB 19/ALCOAST 050/19 
B. USCG Marine Safety Manual Volume V: Investigations and Enforcement, COMDTINST
M16000.10 (series)
C. 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 CY18.
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,
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 for CY18 are listed
below:
    a. Platinum MISLE Case/Vessel: 6024691/NATHAN STEWART
        Convening Authority: Sector Puget Sound
        Lead Investigator: Mr. Paul Tramm                                 
        Investigative team: LT Brian Hennessy and LCDR Kira Moody
    b. Gold MISLE Case/Vessel: 6468222/GLOVIS COMPANION
        Convening Authority: Sector Hampton Roads
        Lead Investigator: LT Ryan Gomez
        Investigative team: LT Manny Maddox and MST1 Steven Andrezejewski
    c. Gold MISLE Case/Vessel: 6227140/PONTOS
        Convening Authority: Sector Delaware Bay
        Lead Investigator: CWO4 Andy Schock
        Investigative Team: LT Charles Taylor, CWO4 Ryan Sinclair, and Mr. Mike Kaszuba
    d. Gold MISLE Case/Vessel: 6198783/MISS DESTINEE
        Convening Authority: Sector Anchorage
        Lead Investigator: LT Richard Cherkauer
        Investigative Team: LCDR Michael J. Novak, Mr. Kevin P. Williams, and
        LT Jacob S. Gamble
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 Morgan Kelly, COMDT (CG-CVC-4)
    LCDR Yancee McLemore, COMDT (CG-791)
    LCDR Thao Nguyen, COMDT (CG-741)
    LCDR Bradley Peifer, MSC
    LCDR Niya Williams, COMDT (CG-INV-1)
7. RDML R. V. Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.