ALCOAST 283/20 - JUL 2020 2019 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 270901 JUL 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5P//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N16732//
ALCOAST 283/20
COMDTNOTE 16732
SUBJ:  2019 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN
MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. COMDT COGUARD WASHINGTON DC 130738 APR 20/ALCOAST 132/20 
B. USCG Marine Safety Manual Volume V: Investigations and Enforcement, COMDTINST
M16000.10 (series)
1. I am 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 CY19.
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,
approximately 14 percent of the steam vessels in operation were destroyed by
explosions that also killed more than 1,000 people. The conditions leading to
these explosions occurred largely because there were no inspection standards
in place. 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 on Major Marine Casualty (MMC) investigations, while the
Gold level highlights outstanding investigative work completed on incidents that
do not reach the MMC level.
4. IAW REF (A) and REF (B), the following teams are the 2019 winners of the
Congressman James Sener Award for Excellence in Marine Investigations:
    a. Platinum MISLE Case/Vessel: 6088430/SINKING OF THE COMMERCIAL FISHING
        VESSEL DESTINATION WITH THE LOSS OF MULTIPLE LIVES
        Convening Authority: Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy (CG-5P)
        Lead Investigator: CDR Scott W. Muller (Ret.)
        Investigative team: CDR Randy Preston, CDR Tamara S. Wallen, LCDR Pedro
        Mendoza, and Mr. Jim Gillette
    b. Platinum MISLE Case/Vessel: 6321234/SINKING OF THE COMMERCIAL FISHING
        VESSEL MISTY BLUE WITH THE LOSS OF MULTIPLE LIVES
        Convening Authority: Sector Southeastern New England
        Lead Investigator: LT Lynn Schrayshuen
        Investigative team: LCDR Amanda Styles, LCDR Corinne Plummer, CWO Jean-
        Pierre Freeman, CWO Jonathan Shipperley, and Mr. Michael St. Louis
    c. Gold MISLE Case/Vessel: 6187583/GROUNDING OF THE PASSENGER VESSEL IYANOUGH
        WITH MULTIPLE INJURIES
        Convening Authority: Sector Southeastern New England
        Lead Investigator: CWO Jonathan Shipperley
        Investigative Team: LCDR Corinne Plummer, LT Mark Svencer, Mr. Michael St.
        Louis, and CWO Aaron Vanhuysen
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 Travis Collier, COMDT (FC-tms)
      LCDR Katrian Hernandez, COMDT (CG-INV-1)  
      LCDR Morgan Kelly, COMDT (CG-CVC-4)
      LCDR Bryana Nicholas, COMDT (CG-CVC-4)
      LCDR Michael Novak, COMDT (CG-OPM-2)   
7. RDML R. V. Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.