Inaugural 2014 SNAME Maritime Convention a real success

by SNAME on 7 Nov 2014 The 2014 SNAME Maritime Convention truly exemplified itself as The International Maritime Forum, with new events incorporated into a week of traditional technical content. The SMC ran from Monday, October 20 through Saturday, October 27, in Houston, TX, and brought together both members from every facet of the maritime community.

SNAME President, Peter G. Noble commented: 'This SNAME Maritime Convention was an exciting time for me and what was most uplifting was the high number of student member attending from our 34 Student Sections around the globe. These young people displayed a passion for our profession that raised the level of enthusiasm for all attendees.'

Attendance exceeded expectations with over 1,000 attendees, including a record high of 258 students representing Student Sections across the globe.

Highlights of the event included:

• Three days of exceptional peer reviewed papers, panel discussions, and cutting edge T&R sessions.

• The first National Shipbuilding Research Program Expo with demos and displays from over 20 NSRP project teams including:

o Mobile Robotic Manufacturing System o All-Platform LED Lighting

o Fiber Optic Installation and Acceptance Criteria o Welder Training via Intelligent Video Tools

o Paperless Paint QA System o Design for Maintenance and Repair

o Product Model Drive Weld Management

• Innovation sessions and demonstrations throughout the Expo Hall and technical program.

• New short courses on Global Analysis, Aluminum Ship Structures and High Performance Marine Craft

• New topical breakfasts that highlighted important emerging issues for the industry including ship recycling, the new U.S. Navy model testing facility, and the importance of cost and risk considerations in ship design and operations

• Student program featuring: o Design Competition amongst student teams; o Job, Scholarship, and Graduate School Fair;

o Industry Round Table Discussions

• SNAME Annual Banquet with presentation of medals and awards to:

• The David W. Taylor Medal to Mr. Howard Fireman

• The Vice Admiral 'Jerry' Land Medal to Mr. David Rathburn

• The Davidson Medal to Professor Jorgen Jensen

• The William M. Kennedy Award to Mr. Albert L. Bossier, Jr.

• The Awards Luncheon included the Elmer L. Hann award, the ABS-Linnard Prize, the Vice Admiral E. L. Cochrane award, the Faculty Advisor of the Year, the Dr. James A. Lisnyk Ship Design Competition, SNAME/MARAD Student
Design Competition winners, and Worldwide Ferry Safety Association Awards, 14 other Student Paper Awards, 50Year Memberships, Certificates of Appreciation, Distinguished Service Awards, 10 newly elected Fellows, Top Recruiters, and the 2013-2014 Super Sections.

• Sixth Annual SNAME Cup Sailing Regatta and seventh Annual Golf Tournament whose proceeds will go to the scholarship fund.

Co-Chairs of the SNAME Maritime Convention, Donald Burris and Bill Cowardin summed up the week:

'The 2014 SMC successfully brought together the maritime community for a week of sharing technical knowledge. Bonds were forged between the leaders of the industry today and future generations. The SMC will continue to serve as the vital hub of information and networking within our industry for years to come.'

The 2015 SNAME Maritime Convention will be held in conjunction with the World Maritime Technology Conference on November 3-7, 2015, at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, Rhode Island. For more information on these developments, please check the WMTC’15 website or contact Alana Anderson, Director of Events at aanderson@snamae.org. For expo inquiries, please contact Dave Weidner at weidner@blueworldpartners.com.

SNAME is an internationally recognized non-profit, technical, professional society of individual members serving the maritime and offshore industries and their suppliers. Founded in 1893, the Society comprises over 6,000 individuals throughout the world. Membership is open to all qualified applicants.