The Council for Dredging and Marine Construction Safety (CDMCS) gathered in Washington, D.C., for its annual Leadership in Safety Meeting, blending in-person and virtual attendance to tackle critical safety challenges in the industry. The event, held at the Westin Georgetown on December 16, drew 38 in-person and 46 virtual attendees, representing the organization’s membership of dredging and marine construction companies.
The meeting kicked off with the presentation of two Leadership in Safety Individual Awards to Cashman Dredging employees Stephen Aykroyd and Robert Labbe. Aykroyd was recognized for his mentorship and training, providing guidance and technical expertise to budding safety professionals. Labbe, one of the first trainees to complete the program’s full development pathway, was honored for his field leadership and operational discipline. Together, they have been instrumental in advancing Cashman’s Site Safety and Health Officer (SSHO) program, which aims to foster a sustainable safety culture within the company’s marine operations.
The technical program began with a virtual presentation by Troy Larson, safety and occupational health manager at the Corps of Engineers’ headquarters. Larson reviewed dredging and marine construction incidents, root causes, and lessons learned from Corps projects, setting the stage for a day of insightful discussions.
A highlight of the event was a roundtable discussion led by U.S. Coast Guard officers Rear Adm. Wayne Arguin Jr., assistant commandant for prevention policy, and Rear Adm. Rob Compher, director of inspections and compliance. They delved into emerging maritime risks, regulatory expectations, and national safety priorities, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the dredging and marine construction industry.
Under the heading of Industry, Technology & Safety Innovation, four papers were presented, showcasing equipment and techniques that enhance the safety of individuals and jobsites. Kevin Rindal of Vimocity, a workforce readiness platform, briefed attendees on the physical strains of working on a dredge and demonstrated stretches and exercises to ease pain before the workday. Jeffrey H. Wood, a partner at Baker Botts LLP, discussed environmental law, pipeline safety, infrastructure permitting, and federal regulatory insights, highlighting federal enforcement trends, infrastructure project challenges, and legal considerations for high-risk marine operations.
Devon Carlock, president of CDMCS and vice president of safety and government affairs for Cottrell Contracting Company, and Ed Landgraf of Coastal Marine Operators (CAMO) and MarineSafe811, discussed the CDMCS and MarineSafe811 pipeline task force. They covered utility strike prevention, evolving pipeline safety risks, improved contractor/operator communication, buffer zone guidance updates, and near-miss and incident analysis. MarineSafe811 provides utilities location support for marine-related activities, ensuring safe operations in waterways, lakes, rivers, bays, and coasts.
Jason Deese, CEO of Flash Weather AI, presented next-generation weather intelligence for marine operations. He described an AI-driven lightning hazard prediction system that informs workers of imminent lightning strikes, allowing them to take shelter. The forecasting can be tailored for dredging, survey, and marine construction activities, providing an essential tool for safety planning.
Attendees included representatives from many of the 48 member companies, all of which are dredging contractors, as well as major suppliers to the industry. Notable attendees included Erica Janocha, dredging program manager for the Corps, and Tiffany Burroughs, chief of navigation at Corps headquarters. Besides Arguin and Compher, Jeremy R. Gauthier, director of the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, also attended.
CDMCS President Devon Carlock noted that attendance was down this year due to the proximity to the holidays and plans to schedule the next meeting for an earlier date in 2026. This strategic move aims to ensure broader participation and continued progress in advancing safety standards within the industry.
The event underscored the critical role of collaboration and innovation in enhancing safety within the dredging and marine construction sectors. As the industry faces evolving risks and regulatory challenges, such gatherings are vital for sharing knowledge, fostering best practices, and driving continuous improvement in safety standards.