2025 Shipboard Fire Support Seminar

Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

Hilton Doubletree, Seattle, WA. 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM

The Washington State Maritime Cooperative (WSMC) is pleased to announce the 2025 Shipboard Fire Support Seminar, a full-day training and tabletop exercise designed to enhance regional preparedness for complex vessel fire incidents and associated environmental threats.

This year’s scenario will center on a large factory trawler from the Alaska fishing fleet, docked in Seattle and carrying significant quantities of diesel fuel and anhydrous ammonia for refrigeration. The scenario presents real-world challenges related to fire suppression, vessel stability, and environmental protection, including the risk of oil spills and hazardous runoff.

American Seafoods will serve as the Responsible Party, supporting scenario development and contributing to a realistic and meaningful exercise experience.

What to Expect

This unique seminar will combine:

  • A scenario-based tabletop exercise

  • Presentations from key agencies and industry experts

  • Guided discussions on Unified Command formation, response coordination, and jurisdictional roles

Agenda Highlights

Pre-Registration Require

Participants will engage with experts representing:

  • WSMC, providing an overview of initial notifications, community air monitoring, and spill response coordination

  • Seattle Fire Department, outlining fire suppression authority and its leadership in marine firefighting within Unified Command

  • Salvage and Marine Firefighting (SMFF) Contractor, discussing vessel stabilization and salvage integration within the ICS structure

  • Washington Department of Ecology, covering the State On-Scene Coordinator’s (SOSC) responsibilities in a multi-agency response

  • U.S. Coast Guard, briefing on Sector Puget Sound’s Marine Firefighting Plan (Section 8100) and the FOSC’s role in balancing firefighting, salvage, and pollution control

  • Joint Information Center (JIC) experts, demonstrating how multi-agency PIOs coordinate public messaging during high-profile maritime emergencies

  • Stena Immaculate Incident Review, presented by Mark Curtis, WSMC Board President – A firsthand overview of the response to the vessel allision and onboard fire, with lessons learned for future incident planning and coordination

  • Unified Command in Action, presented by Jim Butler – A deep dive into the formation, structure, and operation of Unified Command in complex marine incidents, including real-world applications and coordination best practices

Afternoon Session

Participants will step into functional Unified Command roles, participate in scenario-based meetings, and practice collaborative decision-making. The day concludes with a Hotwash to capture key takeaways and a networking receptionsponsored by the American Salvage Association.

This is more than a seminar—it’s an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and sharpen the tools needed for real-world maritime emergencies.

Attendance will be prioritized for WSMC members, operational agencies, industry responders, and regulatory stakeholders.

For More Information:
Dan Smiley
Executive Director, Washington State Maritime Cooperative
📞 (206) 495-3805 | 📧 dansmiley@wsmcoop.org