Washington, D.C. – As part of National Maritime Week, the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA)’s Safety at Sea Seminar and the U.S. Coast Guard AMVER and Benkert Awards will bring together maritime leaders for a critical discussion on the forces actively reshaping safety at sea.
Following a discussion on today’s geopolitical context, NAMEPA’s Safety at Sea Seminar will turn to a critical truth that underpins every aspect of maritime operations: safety ultimately depends on people. The First panel on the Human Element of Maritime Safety will examine the realities facing those operating vessels, managing systems, and making decisions in increasingly complex and high-pressure environments.
As the industry adapts to shifting trade routes, evolving technology, and new regulatory expectations, the demands on mariners and shoreside teams continue to intensify. This session will focus on how those pressures translate into real-world decision-making, leadership, and performance at sea.
Moderated by DNV’s Jan Hagen Andersen, the panel brings together leaders with direct experience across operations, leadership, and human performance:
- Peter Hadjipateras, Chief Information, Security and Sustainability Officer at Dorian LPG, will address operational decision-making at sea, where conditions are dynamic and the consequences of decisions are immediate.
- Captain Robert Roncska (USN, Ret.), Founder and CEO of Navy Bob and author of “Beyond the Sea: Leading with Love,” will examine leadership in high-risk environments and the role it plays in maintaining safety and accountability.
- Paul Rosenblum, Port Minister with Stella Maris and President of the North American Maritime Ministry Association, will provide perspective on the realities of life at sea and the importance of supporting mariner wellbeing.
- Maria Kolitsida, Founder of Signal Fusion, will explore human factors in maritime incidents, with a focus on how behavior, systems, and environment interact to influence operational safety.
This session reinforces a central point: while technology and regulation continue to evolve, the effectiveness of both depends on the people applying them.
“Maritime safety is built on strong systems, but it is sustained by the people operating within them,” said Molly Dushay. “Understanding how individuals make decisions, respond under pressure, and are supported in their roles is essential to improving safety outcomes across the industry.”
Join NAMEPA and hear from panelists who will provide a practical look at the human realities behind maritime safety and why they remain central in an increasingly complex operating environment.
EVENT DETAILS:
NAMEPA Safety at Sea Seminar and AMVER & Benkert Awards – Register Now!
Thursday, May 21, 2026
ABS Offices
80 M Street SE
Washington, D.C. 20003
Registration and networking begin at 12:30 PM, with programming from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.
Media Contact: Rachel McCloskey, Operations and Communications Director, NAMEPA (r.mccloskey@namepa.net)
About North American Marine Environment Protection Association
The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a maritime industry-led organization preserving the marine environment by promoting resilient maritime 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 www.namepa.net