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Lessons in Resilience: Shared Experiences, Smarter Solutions

March 24-25, 2026 | Seattle, WA | Bell Harbor Conference Center

Register by December 31, 2025 with the code EarlyBird2026 to take advantage of earlybird pricing:
$450 (standard registration will be $550 starting January 1, 2026).

About The Conference

The National Harbor Safety Conference is a biennial gathering of maritime professionals designed to showcase best practices from port communities nationwide and facilitate long-term collaboration across the industry. This multi-day event brings together participants from all parts of the country to share case studies, explore lessons learned from real-world incidents, highlight proven solutions, and strengthen coordination with key government agencies.

Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, and technical briefings, the conference enables meaningful dialogue on current and emerging maritime issues. With strong participation from senior leaders across federal agencies and regional organizations, the conference also emphasizes the important role Harbor Safety Committees (HSCs) play in addressing local challenges and advancing national maritime priorities.

The National Harbor Safety Conference offers a focused, practical forum to engage with the most current issues facing ports, waterways, and the Marine Transportation System. With participation from U.S. Coast Guard leadership, Harbor Safety Committees, policy makers, and operational professionals across the country, this event is built to support real dialogue and actionable problem-solving.

Attendees will gain insight into the systems, strategies, and working relationships that keep maritime operations safe and responsive—from shipboard firefighting and resilience planning, to the role of Harbor Safety Committees in industry coordination. With direct access to federal agency leaders, policy experts, port operators, and HSC members, you’ll hear firsthand how others are approaching complex problems.

You’ll leave the conference with a broadened national perspective and practical takeaways to apply in your own port or working group. This event also a rare opportunity to directory connect with peers who are facing the same issues. Share what’s working, what’s not, and what comes next.

Participants can expect to leave with:

  • Examples of how other ports are tackling emerging challenges
  • Strategies for improving collaboration within Harbor Safety Committees
  • A clearer understanding of national-level policy shifts and agency priorities
  • Lessons learned from recent case studies, including the Key Bridge allision
    New contacts across agencies, sectors, and coastlines, opening the door to ongoing coordination

Our stay recommendations include the Seattle Marriott Waterfront and The Edgewater. Both of these hotels are short walks from the venue and sit on the newly renovated Seattle waterfront. 

Due to the October government shutdown we are not able to provide any room blocks. We highly encourage participants register early and get their lodging secured. Government employees can request their government rate when booking. 

Conference Agenda

Day 1

Day 2

  • 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM CHECK-IN, NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
    (Onsite and included in registration price. Early arrival recommended.)

    8:00 AM – 9:10 AM WELCOME & KEYNOTE:
    Patrick Gallagher, Admiral Kevin Lunday (invited), Senator Maria Cantwell (invited)

    9:40 AM – 11:00 AM FEDERAL AGENCY PERSPECTIVES:
    Panel Moderator – Ashley Chappell
    Panelists – Rear Admiral Wayne R. Arguin Jr., Stephen Carmel (pending invite), Nicole R. LeBoeuf (invited), Major General Jason E. Kelly

    11:05 AM – 11:30 AM UNDERSTANDING ALTERNATIVE FUELS: Claudia Beumer

    11:30 PM – 1:00 PM LUNCH
    (Onsite and included in registration price.)

    1:00 PM – 3:15 PM SHIPBOARD FIREFIGHTING:
    USCG Representative – CAPT Kirsten Trego (USCGR, ret.)
    Panel Moderator – Dan Smiley
    Panelists – Bill Burket, Curtis Cannizzaro, CAPT Jim Elliott (USCG, ret.), Capt. Tony Heeter, Aaron Patterson

    3:45 PM – 5:00 PM HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEE CHALLENGES
    Panel Moderator – Noel Jones Guard
    Panelists – Patrick Gallagher, CAPT Paul Mehler (USCG, ret.), Christine Titus, Scott White

  • 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM CHECK-IN, NETWORKING & BREAKFAST
    (Onsite and included in registration price. Early arrival recommended.)

    8:00 AM – 10:00 AM THE FRAGILITY OF THE MARINE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM:
    Panel Moderator – Mike Emerson
    Panelists – CAPT Paul Dittman (USCG, ret.), W. Vern Gwin, Billy Hoffman, Scott Humphrey

    10:30 AM – 10:40 AM COORDINATING LIVE EXERCISES:
    Capt. Mike McElroy

    10:45 AM – 10:55 AM MARITIME WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:
    Rear Admiral Jim Watson (USCG, ret.)

    11:00 AM – 11:30 AM LEVERAGING EXISTING SAFETY CAMPAIGNS:
    Mike Breslin, Pam Dillon, CAPT Jamie Frederick (USCG), Lauren Hyland

    11:30 AM – 1:00 PM LUNCH
    (Onsite and included in registration price.)

    1:00 PM – 3:30 PM LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE ALLISION: 
    Speaker – M/V DALI Case Recap: CAPT David O’Connell (USCG)
    Speaker – USCG Board of Inquiry: CAPT Evelynn Samms (USCG)
    Panel Moderator –  Rear Admiral (select) Christiaan van Westendorp (NOAA) (invited)
    Panelists – Capt. John Betz, Katherine Chambers, Larry Landgraver

    3:35 PM – 4:35 PM THERE’S NO WRONG WAY TO DO IT,  HARBOR SAFETY COMMITTEES:
    Panel Moderator – James Prazak
    Panelists – CAPT Norman “Buddy” Custard (USCG, ret.), Capt. Mike McElroy, Brandi Rogers, CAPT Glenn Wiltshire (USCG, ret.)

    4:35 PM – 5:00 PM CLOSING REMARKS:
    Rear Admiral Wayne Arguin

Featured Resource Booths

Thank You to Our Sponsors

The 2026 National Harbor Safety Conference would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. Their commitment to maritime safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence helps make this event a reality—and ensures that the conversations we host here have lasting impact across the Marine Transportation System.

Thank you for helping us bring this national forum to life.

Join The Mailing List for Updates

If you have a “.mil” email or any other address having issues with the online form above please add your email here for further communications. 

Register Now!

We’re proud to host the National Harbor Safety Conference in Seattle on March 24–25, 2026 at Bell Harbor International Conference Center. This is the country’s leading forum for maritime professionals, Harbor Safety Committees, federal agencies, and port operators to come together and tackle the real challenges facing our waterways. From policy shifts to operational coordination, this is where national conversations turn into practical solutions.

Early bird registration is open through December 31. Use code EarlyBird2026 for $100 off.