Conference Speakers Announced for April's WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo in New Orleans

    NEW ORLEANS, LA, March 16, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Industry leaders from the commercial marine maintenance and repair industry will present 15 educational sessions on April 12 during the WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo. The expo will be held at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

"This comprehensive program is the only educational series dedicated solely to the needs of the owners, port captains, fleet managers, engineers, and mechanics responsible for keeping America's commercial vessels in service," said David Krapf, editor in chief of WorkBoat magazine.

The WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo, set for April 12-14, is designed to provide operations personnel and vessel crews with the information, ideas and connections they need to navigate commercial vessel maintenance.

The Tuesday, April 12 conference program requires an All Access Pass for admission. The pass includes all conference day sessions, breakfast and lunch. It also includes the full three-day Expo & Events Pass, with daily happy hours, hands-on workshops and general sessions, job fair, product demonstrations, events, and the keynote address. To register, visit www.workboatmaintenanceandrepair.com.

An extensive program of presentations, panel discussions and roundtables will be presented in three tracts including regulatory updates, structure and hull, and power and propulsion. The following sessions and speakers will be held on Tuesday, April 12:

TRACK: STRUCTURE & HULL
Asset Management Strategies
9:15 -10 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 212
Asset management requires everything from managing historical failure and maintenance data, supporting preventative maintenance (PM) program inspection development, managing resources, and tracking schedules and skill sets, to managing spares parts and locations and reporting the status of each. This presentation will focus on the value of implementing a program that has established current inspection logs, maintenance, and operational procedures in a single CMMS.
Speakers
- Russell J. DeSalvo, Senior Reliability Analyst and Project Manager, Andromeda Systems Inc.
- Roger Collard, Principle Engineer, Andromeda Systems Inc.

TRACK: POWER & PROPULSION
Extending Fluid Life and Enhancing Performance
9:15 -10 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 213
Oil analysis can be a critical tool in extending fluid life and enhancing the performance of marine equipment. Recent field tests from RSC Bio Solutions have demonstrated that a well-run oil analysis program can extend fluid life by approximately 83%. Actual examples and data gathered from RSC's extensive field-testing reports will be cited.
Speaker
- Mark Miller, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, RSC Bio Solutions

TRACK: REGULATIONS
Subchapter M: It's Coming, Have You Got a Plan?
9:15 -10 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 211
The mechanical and electrical systems and equipment section of the proposed Subchapter M rule requires that several life/safety inspections be conducted at prescribed periods. This presentation will provide an overview and recommend tools that can be used based on the complexity of operations and costs to obtain and maintain the systems.
Speakers
- Hank Kocevar, Consultant, Alidade Maintenance Engineering and Reliability Inc.
- Tom Moriarty, President, Alidade Maintenance Engineering and Reliability Inc.

TRACK: STRUCTURE & HULL
Using Big Data and Analytics to Improve Performance
10:15 - 11 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 212
The marine industry is currently heading down the path of other industries by using data and analytics to improve reliability, safety, efficiency and productivity. This session will walk you through examples of data use and analytics to improve maintenance and operations performance.
Speaker
- Rob Bradenham , Global Sales and Business Development Manager, Caterpillar Marine Asset Intelligence

TRACK: POWER & PROPULSION
Fleet Operations and Maintenance Contracts
10:15 - 11 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 213
Maintenance contracts or customer service agreements (CSA) can be one the best investments you can make. CSAs are one of the most cost-effective ways of reducing expense, disruption, and loss of revenue caused by engine, component or system(s) downtime while contributing to the overall safe operation of the fleet.
Speakers
- Robert Villalobos, Director, Commercial Business Development, Conley and Associates Inc.
- Troy Matherne, General Product Support Manager, Louisiana Cat

Doing Business with the U.S. Navy: Boat Maintenance, Lifecycle Management & Integrated Logistics Support (PMS325)
10:15 - 11 a.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 211 *
OPEN SESSION TO ALL ATTENDEES & EXHIBITORS
The Support Ships, Boats and Craft Program Office (PMS 325) within PEO Ships is responsible for procuring special mission ships, service craft, seaborne targets, and small boats and combatant craft for U.S. agencies and allied nations. PMS 325 personnel will give short presentations on a range of topics pertaining to acquisition, lifecycle management, and integrated logistics support for boat and combatant craft programs. The presentations will be followed by a Q&A panel session.
Speakers
- Cheryl Cecil, Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Manager, attached to the PEO Ships, Support Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office, PMS 325
- Gary Weaver, Technical Program Manager, Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Combatant Craft Division
- Chris Rozicer, Assistant Program Manager, U.S. Navy Boats Division
- Donna Hudson, Principal Assistant Program Manager for Logistics (PMS 325L)
- Alan Cummings, Lifecycle Manager, U.S. Navy Boats (PMS 325G)

TRACK: STRUCTURE & HULL
Combating Marine Fouling
11:15 a.m.- Noon
LEVEL 2, ROOM 212
Today, the extra energy that's needed due to increased friction caused by biofouling of underwater surfaces costs the shipping industry billions of dollars annually. Concurrently, environmental concerns over localized, excessive concentration of heavy metals leached from antifouling paints and invasive species transported via ballast water, fouled hulls and intakes has been elevated to the legislative level. The discussion will focus on current use technologies, their applications, unconventional uses, and their relatively small impact on the environment.
Speaker
- Steve Milhous, Manager, Global Marine, The Americas, PPG Industries

TRACK: POWER & PROPULSION
Emerging CBM Related Trends & Related Challenges
11:15 a.m.- Noon
LEVEL 2, ROOM 213
Recently, there have been many discussions regarding the value of CBM (condition-based maintenance) in the marine industry. However, few have discussed issues related to the challenges of integrating CBM into the marine operator's business processes. This presentation investigates recent trends in the marine "Internet of Things" and some of the recent challenges associated with this new business paradigm. Additionally, this session will cover some of the available solutions to address these emerging challenges.
Speaker
- Jaime Tetrault, Director, Caterpillar Marine Product Support & Asset Intelligence, Caterpillar Marine

TRACK: REGULATIONS
Ballast Water Regulations
11:15 a.m.- Noon
LEVEL 2, ROOM 211
In December, the Coast Guard announced that it wanted a higher performance standard for how ultraviolet ballast water treatment systems work. Starting in 2018, U.S. operators could begin seeing requirements to install treatment systems at the next scheduled drydocking. Operators should start planning now for recordkeeping, alternate tank management methods, and longer range options for treatment systems.
Speakers
- Jan Flores, Senior Director of Business Development, NETSCo
- Kevin Reynolds, Marine Engineering Principal, Glosten

TRACK: STRUCTURE & HULL
Maintenance Efficiency: Planned vs. Predictive
1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 212
Equipment and machinery are susceptible to failures over time or even unexpectedly. Shipyards use techniques to determine when maintenance should be performed. The debate is whether strategies in planned maintenance versus predictive maintenance weigh one another out. But shouldn't planned maintenance still be required even with the high costs and amount of manpower it takes?
Speakers
- Britton Chauvin, Service Manager, Karl Senner LLC
- Tom Moriarty, President, Alidade Maintenance Engineering and Reliability

TRACK: POWER & PROPULSION
Vibration Sensor Systems
1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 213
Vibration sensor systems and the basics of vibration theory will be explained. The use of these systems and vibration theory as a predictive/preventative maintenance tool to keep vessels working at optimum performance will also be explored. Detailed case studies will be highlighted to provide actual working examples of these systems and technology in the field.
Speaker
- Rich Merhige, President/Owner, AME Solutions

TRACK: POWER & PROPULSION
How Hybrid Solutions can reduce Engine Maintenance
1:30 - 2:15 p.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 211
Workboat owners and operators may consider hybrid propulsion and power solutions as a means to reduce fuel and emissions, but these systems can also provide an added bonus of reducing maintenance costs. This presentation will also discuss the use of batteries in these projects, including their uses, challenges and effect on maintenance.
Speaker
- John Eldridge, President, XeroPoint Energy

TRACK: STRUCTURE & HULL
Corrosion Prevention Methods
2:30- 3:15 p.m.
LEVEL 2, ROOM 213
Hear from industry experts on why paints and lubricants need to be changed, how they can strengthen engine wear, why new paints and lubricants are superior to those previously in place, and how technology may play a role.
Speakers
- Norman Petticrew, Gulf Coast Manager, CHLOR*RID International Inc.
- Charlie Marino, Maintenance Training Program Manager, BMT Designers and Planners


About the WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo
Based on the success of the 2015 inaugural WorkBoat Maintenance & Repair Conference and Expo, the 2016 event will again bring together professionals from the commercial vessel maintenance and repair industry.

"The Expo will be the best place to connect with people, check out the latest products, and receive information and updates needed to keep informed and stay ahead of the curve," said Denielle Christensen, show director from Diversified Communications, which produces the award-winning International WorkBoat Show each year in New Orleans.

The inaugural expo last year was attended by nearly 2,000 top commercial marine leaders. The 2016 event will build on that success and offer the unique combination of a custom-tailored conference program, a highly focused exhibit hall and extensive networking events. The Expo will also host a free Maritime Job Fair and Job Advice Center from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, as well as safety training and more than 200 exhibiting companies.

This year's featured speakers include Christian Vaccari, vice president, Gulf Island Shipyards LLC, who will discuss "Building Stronger Shipyards with Collaboration" on April 12, and Jeff Skiles, co-pilot, US Airways Flight 1549, the "Miracle on the Hudson," who will deliver a keynote address on "Crisis Management - When the Unexpected Happens, You're Ready."

Those interested in exhibiting at the show should contact Chris Dimmerling, sales director, at [email protected] or (207) 842-5666.

For further information, visit www.workboatmaintenanceandrepair.com.

About WorkBoat
WorkBoat is part of the Diversified Business Communications portfolio of commercial marine events, publications and digital products. The WorkBoat brand has been connecting qualified buyers with leading suppliers for more than 70 years. In print through WorkBoat magazine, online at WorkBoat.com, face-to-face at the International WorkBoat Show and through education with the Professional Series, WorkBoat delivers high quality information to all segments of the marine industry in North America. For more information, visit www.workboat.com.

About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications, based in Portland, Maine, provides information and market access through face-to-face events, publications and digital products. Diversified serves a number of industries including: seafood, food service, natural and organic, healthcare, commercial marine and business management. Diversified operates divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Canada. For more information, visit: http://www.divcom.com.

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