ALCOAST 277/24 - JUL 2024 2023 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 191236Z JUL 24   MID320000499122U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 277/24
SSIC 16732
SUBJ: 2023 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR
EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 221518Z JAN 24/ALCOAST 029/24
B. USCG Marine Safety Manual, Volume V: Investigations and
Enforcement, COMDTINST M16000.10A
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 closed in CY23.
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
winners of the 2023 Congressman James Sener Award for Excellence
in Marine Investigations (in alphabetical order):
    a. Platinum Level.
        1. MISLE Case Number/Title: 6881487/ SCANDIES ROSE Sinking,
            Total Loss and Losses of Life
            Convening Authority: Commandant
            Lead Investigator: CAPT Gregory Callaghan
            Investigative team: CDR Karen Denny, USCG (ret.),
            LCDR Michael Comerford, LCDR Ian McPhillips,
            LCDR Sharyl Rust, Mr. Keith Fawcett, and Mr. Scott Giard
        2. MISLE Case Number/Title: 7175076/SEACOR POWER Capsize
            with Multiple Loss of Life
            Convening Authority: Commandant
            Lead Investigator: CAPT Tracy Phillips, USCG (ret.)
            Investigative team: LCDR Sharyl Rust, LT Anthony Alger,
            Mr. Andrew Lawrence, and Mr. Eric Verdin
    b. Gold Level.
        1. MISLE Case Number/Title: 6484337/SEA COAST & VA9972NN
            Collision and Losses of Life
            Convening Authority: Sector Virginia
            Lead Investigator: LT Samuel Kulp
            Investigative team: LCDR Ryan Gomez,
            LCDR Orlando Hernandez, CWO John Colon, and Mr. Paul Ledoux
        2. MISLE Case Number/Title: 5167475/Thunder on the Narrows
            Race Loss of Life
            Convening Authority: Sector Maryland National Capital
            Region
            Lead Investigator: CWO Sean DeCataldo
            Investigative team: LCDR Stephanie Plummer,
            CWO Hector Melendez, and ME1 Richard Walters, USCG (ret.)
5. The Board felt some investigations deserved to be
recognized, even though they did not win the Sener Award. The
following investigation received an honorable mention
(in alphabetical order):
    a. MISLE Case Number/Title: 5847010/ADVENTURE HORNBLOWER
        Allision and Injuries
        Lead Investigator: CDR Stefanie Hodgdon
        Investigative team: CDR Amanda Fahrig, CDR John Davis,
        CWO Cory Arend, CWO Michael Micucci,
        Mr. Christopher Keister, and Mr. Lester Ledet
    b. MISLE Case Number/Title: 7443185/ENDO BREEZE Fire
        Lead Investigator: LT Corey Landante
    c. MISLE Case Number/Title: 6560351/KRISTIN ALEXIS/MR ERVIN/
        SUNSHINE BRIDGE Allision
        Lead Investigator: CAPT Matthew Meskun
        Investigative team: CDR Megan Clifford,
        CDR Geralyn Van de Krol, LT Tiago Goncalves,
        LT James Coppola, LT Rachel Ault, and CWO Lawrence Blevins
6. COMDT (CG-INV) appreciates the professionalism and effort of
all investigating officers who submitted investigations for
Sener Award consideration.
7. The Sener Award board consisted of the following:
    CDR Amanda Fahrig, COMDT (CG-761)
    CDR Michelle Rosenberg, NAVCEN
    LCDR Jeffrey Bender, COMDT (CG-FAC)
    LCDR Lars Okmark, COMDT (CG-LMI-P)
    LCDR Joshua Weidman, COMDT (CG-5PC)
8. POC: COMDT (CG-INV-1), LCDR Laura Fitzpatrick, (202)372-1032,
Laura.M.Fitzpatrick@uscg.mil.
9. RDML W. R. Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy (CG-5P), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.