ALCOAST 114/21 - MAR 2021 NOMINATIONS FOR THE CY2020 CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 241430Z MAR 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 114/21
SSIC 16732
SUBJ:  NOMINATIONS FOR THE CY2020 CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD
FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. USCG Marine Safety Manual, Volume V; Investigations and
Enforcement, COMDTINST M16000.10 (series)
B. U.S. Coast Guard Marine Investigations Documentation and
Reporting Procedures, Version 1.02
1. 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% of the steam vessels
in operation were destroyed by explosions, killing more than 1000
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 put in place a world class 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 investigators.
2. Nominations for the 2020 Congressman James Sener Award for
Excellence in Marine Investigations are requested to be submitted
to COMDT (CG-INV). The nomination submission deadline is 23 April
2021. The purpose of this award is to encourage the completion of
the very finest marine investigations throughout the Coast Guard,
to share the best marine investigation practices, and to recognize
units and investigative teams that have demonstrated exceptional
investigative skill and positively influenced marine safety.
3. Nominations: this solicitation includes all marine casualty
investigations that are in full compliance with the marine
investigation process detailed in part B of REF (A), REF (B),
and were closed in CY2020.
4. The following should be reviewed in detail prior to submission:
    a. There are two levels of the James Sener Award that apply:
Platinum and Gold. The Platinum level consists of a Major Marine
Casualty (MMC) or Formal investigation, while the Gold level
consists of any other lower level Marine Casualty (MC)
investigation.
    b. Platinum nominations require the following elements and
should highlight impactful recommendations to regulations or
policy that provide for the widest improvement to safety within
the maritime community:
        (1) An investigation into a Major Marine Casualty or any
Coast Guard Formal investigation;
        (2) An investigation conducted in compliance with current
Coast Guard policies/procedures;
        (3) An investigation with a Narrative Report of Investigation
(ROI) that meets the formatting requirements in REF (B) and is
crafted in a clear, succinct fashion in simple terms with the
factual information, analysis, conclusion, and actions taken; and
        (4) An investigation that should contain at least one
corrective recommendation such as a Safety Recommendation, Lessons
Learned, or Enforcement Referral (successfully adjudicated).
    c. Gold nominations require the following elements and should
be narrow in its recommended actions for correction:
        (1) A Coast Guard led marine casualty investigation;
        (2) An investigation conducted in compliance with current
Coast Guard policies/procedures and other relevant documents;
        (3) An investigation reflecting a close working relationship
between the Investigating Officer(s) (IO) and subject(s) of the
investigation to identify corrective actions or remedies of any
latent unsafe conditions that were discovered and/or considered
for implementation.
5. The nomination consists of a standard CG Memo submitted to COMDT
(CG-INV) copying the first (O-6, Flag, SES, etc.) in the chain of
command. The memo should include the name of the investigation, the
MISLE Incident Investigation Activity number, the name of the lead
investigating officer, the investigative team (if applicable), and
the level of the award. Though not required by COMDT (CG-INV), the
submitting unit may need to include the narrative report of
investigation and any CG generated safety alerts and/or advisories
or lessons learned, as applicable, when forwarding the nomination
for review. Chain of command endorsements of the nomination are not
required, but info copies are recommended.
6. Up to four Sener Awards will be awarded with a goal of
recognizing two investigations under each award level.
7. POC: COMDT (CG-INV-1), LCDR Amanda Fahrig, (202) 372-1035,
Amanda.L.Fahrig@uscg.mil.
8. RDML R. V. Timme, Assistant Commandant For Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.