ALCOAST 481/22 - DEC 2022 WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2022 COAST GUARD ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

R 061339Z DEC 22 MID200080561207U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 481/22
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT - 2022 COAST GUARD ENGINEER
OF THE YEAR AWARD
1. This ALCOAST announces Mr. Andrew "Andy" Lawrence as the
recipient of the 2022 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year Award.
Assigned to the Coast Guard Marine Safety Center (MSC) in Washington
D.C, Mr. Lawrence leads a highly skilled team of engineers that form
the MSC's Salvage Engineering Response Team (SERT). SERT stands
ready 24x7 to assist Coast Guard field commanders responding to
emergent marine casualty situations to mitigate threats to public
safety, the marine environment, and property, while minimizing
impacts on marine transportation. In addition to his role as SERT's
Principal Naval Architect, Mr. Lawrence has distinguished himself
through his involvement as a member or technical advisor to several
formal, high interest, Marine Casualty Investigations. The in-depth
forensic engineering analyses and technical reports that he prepared
following the loss of the fishing vessel SCANDIES ROSE and four of
her crewmen, and the capsizing of the liftboat SEACOR POWER with 13
fatalities, clearly illustrated the root cause of these catastrophic
events. His oversight of an exhaustive review of the capsizing,
grounding, and total constructive loss of the foreign car-carrier
GOLDEN RAY was similarly impressive. The final report provided
indisputable evidence of the cause and put operators of similar
ships on notice worldwide about the consequences of non-compliance
with time-proven international stability standards. In addition,
Mr. Lawrence was the USCG's lead engineer for the wreck's removal
from St. Simons Sound, the most complex and costly salvage operation
in U.S. history. Through these actions and many more, Mr. Lawrence
has made significant engineering contributions to the Coast Guard
and the nation. He holds a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
from Pennsylvania State University, is a Registered Professional
Engineer in Virginia, and is a member of the Society of Naval
Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Society of Naval Engineers
(ASNE), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE).
An awards ceremony is scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C.
on 24 February 2023 to recognize the accomplishments of Mr. Andrew
Lawrence. Additionally, as the Coast Guard Engineer of the Year,
Mr. Lawrence has also been nominated for the National Society of
Professional Engineers Federal Engineer of the Year Award.
2. Well done to the following distinguished engineers who were
deservedly nominated for the 2022 Coast Guard Engineer of the Year
Award:
a. Mr. Evan G. Amorgianos
b. LCDR Erich D. Dix
c. LT Matthew R. Fann
d. LT Kiera J. Hollenbeck
e. CDR Jesse E. Hyles
f. EMCS Jared D. Ireland
g. CDR Heidi L. Koski
h. Mr. Chad M. Luettel
i. Mr. Joseph A. McKenna
j. CDR Nicholas W. Parker
k. CDR Christian T. Polyak
l. LT April N. Reid
m. Mr. Joshua D. Smak
3. I applaud all the nominees for their accomplishments, as well as
their Commanding Officers and supervisors for taking the time to
submit well-supported nominations. Successful Coast Guard mission
execution requires talented engineers that possess in-depth
technical knowledge, strong leadership skills, practical experience,
and professional credentials enabling them to provide critical
mission support in the effective and efficient sustainment of our
cutters, boats, aircraft, systems, and shore infrastructure. I
encourage all leaders to take the opportunity during next year's
2023 solicitation to recognize their highest performing engineering
professionals.
4. Questions regarding the Engineer of the Year Award may be
directed to LTJG Russia Roland, COMDT (CG-4A) at 202-475-5553 or
Russia.S.Roland@uscg.mil.
5. RDML C. J. List, Chief Engineer (CG-4), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.