17th Biennial National Harbor Safety Committee Conference

The Transportation Research Board, the Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee, and the South Texas Waterways Advisory Committee are excited to announce the 17th Biennial National Harbor Safety Committee Conference being held from June 25-27, 2019 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel and Conference Center in Houston, Texas.

Held on a biennial basis, this vital marine national transportation event continues to be one of the premier gatherings of waterways stakeholders from the private sector, government agencies, and academia. The conference is organized by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. The Lone Star Harbor Safety Committee is the lead host for the conference, with the South Texas Waterways Advisory Committee (STWAC) serving as a co-host.

Harbor Safety Committees (HSCs) are local committees of waterways stakeholders addressing issues that include the safety, security, mobility, and environmental protection of our ports and waterways. Membership is typically composed of representatives from the local maritime industry and governmental agencies, as well as recreational boaters and the commercial fishing industry.

This three-day event enables HSCs from all parts of the nation to come together on a national basis to share best practices, discuss policy and regulatory issues, highlight solutions, dialogue with government agencies, and form relationships that enable a robust transfer of ideas in between gatherings. The conference typically draws between 200-350 maritime professionals from throughout North America.

The conference will include panel sessions, keynote addresses from high-level officials, and networking opportunities for waterways stakeholders and service providers from across our nation. The panel sessions are designed to be highly interactive, allowing an ongoing conversation between the presenters and the attendees. Topics to be addressed at the 2019 conference include: The Future of Navigation and Shipping; Cybersecurity; Disaster Preparedness; Harbor Safety Committee Management; Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration; Community Outreach; The Role of the Waterways Stakeholder in Vessel Traffic Safety and Security; Innovations in Training, Education, and Exercises; and more.