Posted on October 7, 2024
By Heiko Osterchrist
CDMCS had their annual meeting in Washington DC October 3, 2024. Devon Carlock, President of CDMCS and VP of Cottrell Contracting Corp kicked off the meeting. There were multiple discussions on cross talk partnership, pipeline prevention new technology, emergency patient transport and alert systems for dredging equipment. In addition, there was good discussions on the new regulations and compliances.
The meeting was well attended by Dredge Contractors, USACE and U.S. Coast Guard, who shared their insights on the above topics, plus partnerships between the private sector and the federal agencies, using as an example the quick response time to the Francis Scott Key Bridge clean up. Admiral Wayne Arguin Jr. thanked the dredge and marine construction industry for their quick response and cooperation in the clean-up of the Key Bridge.
Bill Doyle, CEO of Dredging Contractors of America, kicked off the awards dinner speaking on the importance that CDMCS plays in improving safety on dredges as well as the pipeline initiative which identified many buried pipelines in the Gulf helping to prevent accidental strikes from dredging.
Bill Doyle-CEO of DCA
Doyle touched on the private sectors role in the Francis Scott Key Bridge clean up, and the quick response time. Experts were saying that it would take 11 months to clean up and open the channel, but it was done in 11 weeks. 99% of the clearance of that channel was done by the private sector made up of the dredge & marine sector. This was accomplished because there was a unified command structure that was controlled by the U.S. Government, led by the Coast Guard and USACE’s commanding General Lt. General Scott Spellmon and Baltimore District Commander Col. Estee Pinchasin. These people had long-term relationships/partnerships with the dredging and marine sector which allowed quick assessment and partnering with the sector to commence the clean up operation.
Guest Speaker was Major General Jason Kelly Deputy Commanding General for Civil and Emergency Operations who spoke to his continued commitment to working closely with the Dredging and Marine sector as well as continued improvements in safety at both the Corp and industry.
Maj. Gen. Jason Kelly-USACE
Award winners were:
Harry Tolson is responsible for operations of Kokosing Industrial Mid-Atlantic dredge operations. He received the CDMCS Individual Safety Award. Tolson has over 30 years of experience in the dredging industry and the safety leader for Kokosing. Notably, he has not had a recordable on any project for over three years and over 277,00 hours.
Harry Tolson-Kokosing Industrial
David Brandon is the USACE Load Handing Specialist with USACE New Orleans and received the CDMCS Recognition Award. Brandon has been instrumental in updating, maintaining and instructing the USACE Learning Centers Floating Plant Safety Course in New Orleans, La. This was a considerable task considering that less than two years ago the program was going to be discontinued due to a lack of trainers.
Dave Brandon-USACE Load Handing Specialist
Herman Morris is the SSHO with Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel and received the CDMCS Individual Award. Morris rose to the challenge after the Company lost many seasoned skilled employees to other companies and started the dredge season with 50% new employees or employees in new positions by conducting intensive training, real drills, and effective safety meetings. He in addition mentored three new SHHO’s and set the standards for Safety First.
(l to R) D. Carlock- CDMCS Pres H. Morris-SSHO Pine Bluff S&G, C. Taylor-Operations Pine Bluff S&G
Erick Haruch is Corporate VP EHS &Q for Cashman Dredging and received the CDMCS Individual Award. Haruch has over 25 years of experience in the field of dredging, marine construction and safety management. He is a Certified Safety Professional and specializes in designing and managing environmental and health safety programs, enhancing corporate safety cultures, developing and facilitating EHS training programs, inspections and oversight, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
E. Haruch-CSP,EHSQ-Cashman Dredging
Mark Adtkins is USACE HQ Chief of Safety and received the CDMCS Recognition Award. Atkins is responsible for developing and executing safety and health policy and objectives across the worldwide command consisting of over 35,000 civilian and military personnel, as well as a contractor workforce involving 85 million man-hours of exposure annually, substantially all of which represents exposure of a high-risk nature.
M. Adkins-HQ Chief of Safety USACE
Manson Construction Co. received the CDMCS FY 24 Company Leadership in Safety Award. John Roques, Senior VP & Gulf & East Coast Regional Manager accepted the award on behalf of the Company. Taking care of people is Manson’s most important core value, and our Safety Program is at the heart of how we take care of our employees-making sure everyone goes home safely each day, said Roques. Manson has worked decades at assessing safety risks on projects and implementing measures to prevent injuries, we have established and outstanding safety culture at Manson, where employees proudly demonstrate safety knowledge and best practices, he concluded.
(L to R) D. Carlock-CDMCS Pres & Cottrell Contracting & J. Roques Sr, VP & Gulf & East Coast Regional Mgr
