ALCOAST 227/26 - JUL 2026 AWARD ANNOUCEMENT - 2025 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS

R 221545Z JUL 26  MID120041406747U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 227/26
SSIC 16732
SUBJ: AWARD ANNOUCEMENT - 2025 WINNERS OF THE CONGRESSMAN JAMES
SENER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MARINE INVESTIGATIONS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 021445Z FEB 26/ALCOAST 034/26
B. USCG Marine Safety Manual, Volume V: Investigations and
Enforcement, COMDTINST 16000.10A
1. I am pleased to announce the winners of the Congressman James
Sener Award for Excellence in Marine Investigations. The Coast
Guard investigators are recognized for conducting the most
distinguished marine casualty investigations closed in CY2025.
    a. The criteria for the Platinum level of the Sener Award
recognizes superior investigative prowess on major marine
casualty (MMC) or formal investigations, while the Gold level
highlights outstanding investigative work completed on incidents
that do not reach the Platinum level.
2. Award Winners. In accordance with REFs (A) and REF (B), it is
my distinct privilege to congratulate the following teams for
winning the 2025 Congressman James Sener Award for Excellence in
Marine Investigations:
    a. Platinum Level.
        MISLE Activity Number/Title: 7836612/GRACE BAILEY
        Demasting and Loss of Life
        Convening Authority: Coast Guard District Northeast
        Lead Investigator: CDR William Wallen
        Investigative team: LCDR Brent Pearson, LCDR Katherine Ward,
        LT Brendan Kelly, Mr. Travis Taylor
    b. Gold Level.
        (1) MISLE Activity Number/Title: 7902559/KIM THU Explosion and
             Crewmember Loss of Life
             Convening Authority: Sector Honolulu
             Lead Investigator: CWO Joseph Tenorio
             Investigative team: LCDR Lisa Fanning, Mr. William Taylor
        (2) MISLE Activity Number/Title: 8100745/LEM VERBENA Fire
              Convening Authority: Sector Mobile
              Lead Investigator: LT Christopher Arflin
              Investigative team: LT Dean Epps, Mr. Israel Parker
3. Program and Award. The Coast Guard's Marine Investigations
Program continues as a vital arm of its marine safety activities
since 1838 when the program's predecessor, the Steamboat Inspection
Service, was established.
     a. In 1832, approximately 14 percent of the steam vessels in
operation were destroyed by explosions and more than 1,000 people
were killed in the vessel accidents. The conditions leading to these
explosions occurred in part because there were not any inspection
standards in place. In some cases, mariner incompetence, negligence,
and/or misconduct were causal factors. U.S. Congress subsequently
established marine inspection laws and created the Steamboat
Inspection Service.
    b. Congressman James Sener of Virginia sponsored legislation
that created the Marine Investigation Program enacted on
20 JUN 1874. Congressman Seners' bill created a modern and effective
system for identifying and eliminating unsafe conditions in the
marine transportation system.
    c. 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.
4. Honorable Mentions. The Board felt some investigations deserved
to be recognized, even though they did not win the Sener Award.
The following investigations received honorable mentions
(in alphabetical order):
    a. MISLE Case Number/Title: 8064223/J ANDREW ECKSTEIN Fire
        Convening Authority: Sector Upper Mississippi River
        Lead Investigator: CWO Andrew Vetter
        Investigative team: LT John Kilkenny, CWO Daniel Asbach,
        CWO Christopher Hovland, Mr. Shawn Brooks
    b. MISLE Case Number/Title: 7300444/RONNIE R and GA6620ZT
        Collision and Multiple Losses of Life
        Convening Authority: Marine Safety Unit Savannah
        Lead Investigator: Mr. Alfred Willett
        Investigative team: CWO Hubert Wells, CWO James Gainey
    c. MISLE Case Number/Title: 7509951/STIMULUS MONEY Loss of Life
        Collision and Multiple Losses of Life
        Convening Authority: Sector New York
        Lead Investigator: LT Corey Landante
        Investigative team: CWO Joseph Quitugua
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:
    CDR Bradley Peifer, COMDT (CG-OES)
    CDR Lina Anderson, COMDT (CG-INV)
    CDR Brett Belanger, COMDT (CG-5P-TI)
    LCDR Patrick Frain, COMDT (CG-CVC)
    LCDR Matthew Romero, Suspension and Revocation NCOE
7. POC: COMDT (CG-INV), CDR Kelli Dougherty, (571) 608-7492,
Kelli.M.Dougherty@uscg.mil.
8. CAPT R. C. Compher, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy
(CG-5P), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.