Throggs Neck, Bronx, NY – August 26th – The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is proud to announce that Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy at the U.S. Coast Guard, will be a keynote speaker at NAMEPA’s Annual Conference and Awards Dinner event on October 30, 2025, at SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx, NY.
Rear Admiral Arguin oversees the development of national policy, standards, and programs promoting marine safety, security, and environmental stewardship. His leadership spans three areas of expertise: Inspections and Compliance, Marine Transportation Systems, and Commercial Regulations and Standards. His portfolio includes waterways management, navigation and boating safety, merchant mariner credentialing, vessel documentation, casualty investigation, vessel inspections, and port state control. Before his current post, he served as Director of Inspections and Compliance, Director of Emerging Policy, and as Sector Commander of Sector New Orleans.
“We are honored to welcome Rear Admiral Arguin to NAMEPA’s Annual Conference and Awards Dinner,” said Carleen Lyden Walker, Co-Founder and Executive Director of NAMEPA. “His leadership in advancing maritime safety and stewardship reflects the spirit of our theme this year, Powering Progress: Maritime at the Crossroads of Innovation and Impact.”
This year’s conference begins with opening remarks from NAMEPA Chairman Joe Hughes, setting the stage for a keynote by ABS Chairman and CEO Chris Wiernicki on Fueling Maritime’s Future: Innovation, Regulation, Recruitment, and Responsibility.
The first panel, Strategic Crossroads – Maritime Leadership Amid Disruption and Transformation, explores how industry leaders are navigating a pivotal moment where geopolitical instability, regulatory pressure, and technological disruption intersect. Discussions will focus on the long-term effects and trade disruptions, strategies for adapting to growing emissions and compliance rules, the growing risks of digital connectivity, and the evolving demands of maritime leadership in uncertain times.
The program continues with Workforce Reimagined – Building Maritime Talent for the Future, a panel dedicated to cultivating the next generation of maritime professionals. Topics include raising awareness of maritime careers, especially among underrepresented communities, building stronger industry–academia partnerships to align training with workforce needs, and investing in upskilling and leadership pipelines to prepare mariners for a future shaped by decarbonization, compliance, and shifting generational expectations. NAMEPA’s Executive Director, Molly Dushay, will share perspectives on creating clear pathways from middle school to maritime careers. The afternoon will culminate in a Leadership Roundtable, bringing together many of the individuals and organizations that are being recognized
Following reflections from NAMEPA Chairman Joe Hughes and the association’s Annual General Meeting, the day transitions into an evening of celebration with a cocktail reception and the formal Dinner Program and Awards Presentation, where students, organizations, and individuals will be recognized for their efforts to protect our marine environment.
About NAMEPA
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a maritime industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake, and river resources. For more information, visit www.namepa.net