Safety at Sea Focus of National Maritime Day DC Seminar NAMEPA’s May 21st Event features Shipboard Safety, Piracy and Seafarer Issues

May 7, 2012 —Just months after the Costa Concordia accident, and amid daily reports of piracy and needless accidents at sea, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) will be offering a seminar “Environmental Intelligence in Maritime: Safety at Sea, featuring shipboard safety, piracy, and an update on issues for seafarers. The seminar will take place on May 21st at the National Press Club in Washington DC commencing at 3:00pm. The seminar is intended to commemorate National Maritime Day, which is held on May 22nd to honor merchant mariners.

Panelists include (to date): VADM Brian Salerno, USCG; Michael Bohlman Horizon Lines; Benjamin Strong, Director AMVER Marine Relations; Kevin Doherty, Nexus Consulting; the Rev. Canon James Von Dreele, Seamen’s Church Institute-Philadelphia and Vice-President, North American Maritime Ministry Association; RADM Wendi Carpenter, Superintendent, SUNY Maritime College. The panel will be moderated by RADM Duncan Smith (Ret.), Partner at Blank Rome LLP/LLC.

“NAMEPA designed this seminar to be both informative and participatory so that the risk of an event such as the Costa Concordia and the many risks facing seafarers can be reduced” stated NAMEPA Chairman Clay Maitland. “We must also look at seafarer welfare. Piracy is on the rise. Lifeboat safety hook failures are on the rise. Seafarer fatigue is on the rise. The seminar will explore strategies and realities to mitigate future risks.”

The cost to attend the seminar is $50 for NAMEPA members ($75 for non-member). Please contact t.hennessey-diaz@namepa.net for reservations or call +203 255 4686. Admittance is by reservation only and is limited.

Sponsors of the seminar include Blank Rome Maritime, Clay Maitland, the International Propeller Club of the United States, Sea Research Foundation, Navios Shipping, Nexus Consulting, Chamber of Shipping of America and the American Salvage Association.

The seminar will be followed immediately by the National Maritime Day Dinner and AMVER Awards where over 100 shipping companies will be recognized. The honored guest will be VAMD Brian Salerno. For more information contact l.harris@namepa.net or go to http://www.namepa.net/events.html.

ABOUT NAMEPA

NAMEPA is a maritime industry-led initiative which operates as a voluntary, non-profit and nongovernmental organization committed to preserving the marine environment through educating seafarers, port communities and students about the need, and strategies, for protecting this important global resource and engages maritime businesses, government and the public to

“Save our Seas” by promoting sound environmental practices. For more information, go to www.namepa.net .