Each year, the Association, in conjunction with its annual meeting, sponsors a three-day training seminar that is open to all members and to all interested law enforcement officers, insurance investigators, surveyors, and Coast Guard officials. These seminars normally cover the various aspects of marine theft and fraud, boating accidents, and very specific investigative techniques to assist investigators in their investigations.
Examples of topics normally covered:
HIN formats: raising, tracing, and lifting HINs
Trailer serial numbers, outboard and inboard serial numbers, and vessel identification numbers
Bank and insurance fraud investigations
Fire/arson investigations
Updates on the status of NCIC 2000 and VIDS
Updates on changes to Coast Guard regulations and policies.
IAMI also offers testing for two certifications: Certified Marine Investigator (CMI) and Certified Marine Fire Investigator (CMFI). To learn more about these programs, please read the information on the website and the qualifications.
You must be a member to attend. Non-Members, please apply first. The price will increase to $500.00 on January 1, 2025. The registration fee includes access to classes, the president's reception, the banquet, and the networking suite.
Precio de Miembro $400
Accommodations
Hotel Information/Reservations
We will be staying at The Campbell House Lexington by Hilton.
The Campbell House:
Phone #: 1-859-255-4281
Rate: $129.00 Single/Double (Traditional) Plus tax/fees
Group Code: Use Link Above
Parking Daily: Free
Breakfast: Not Included
It is very important to book using a link or group code as we have to guarantee a certain # of rooms, and it only counts by using these means.
Hotel Airport Shuttle: This hotel does not provide a shuttle service.
Transportation: Private, Rental
Agenda
Subject to Change
(Updated 11/21/2024)
If you want a paper copy, a PDF version is available at the bottom of this page for download and print.
Registration
1:00 PM - 5:00 PMEarly Registration
Early Registration
Registration
8:00 AM - 5:00 PMRegistration
CMI
9:00 AM - 11:00 AMCMI-Federal Carriage
This session will focus on the equipment requirements, inspection of, and acceptable standards for equipment carried aboard U. S. recreational vessels.
Seth Wagner
State Program Coordinator, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
11:00 AM - 12:00 PMLunch
Provided by Total Vessel Solutions at the Hotel.
12:00 PM - 2:00 PMCMI - HIN 101/ HIN Restoration
Patrick Carron
Marine Conservation Officer, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR)
Caroline Mantel
Director of Business Development, Boat History Report
Tony Spires
Lieutenant, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR)
2:00 PM - 2:15 PMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
2:15 PM - 4:15 PMCMI - Insurance Fraud 101
Brooke Leitch
Assistant Vice President of Claims and General Manager, Tower Hill Insurance Group
Kerry McCook, CMI
Supervisor, Boat Liability and Litigation, Geico
CMFI
9:00 AM - 11:00 AMCMFI - Insurance, Legal and Ethics
Principal Forensic Fire Specialist, Southern Forensic Services, LLC
Robert Collins
Lieutenant/EMT and Fire/Arson Investigator, Normal IL Fire Department
President's Reception
6:00 PM - 9:00 PMPresident's Reception
TBD
Opening Ceremony
8:30 AM - 9:30 AMOpening Ceremony
9:30 AM - 9:45 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
9:45 AM - 12:45 PMInvestigators and Law Enforcement on the Stand
Caren Cambre
Attorney/Professor
12:45 PM - 1:45 PMLunch
On Your Own
1:45 PM - 2:45 PMInvestigators and Law Enforcement on the Stand
Caren Cambre
Attorney/Professor
2:45 PM - 3:00 PMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
3:00 PM - 5:00 PMInvestigators and Law Enforcement on the Stand
Caren Cambre
Attorney/Professor
Registration
7:00 AM - 4:00 PMRegistration
Room 1
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMLightning vs Power Surge
The electrifying facts about lightning and how it can affect boats and your inspection. We’ll discuss the science behind lightning, how a lightning strike can be hard to identify plus the obvious, research tools for lightning strikes and the surveyor’s role in loss and damage investigations. We will also hear from a prominent marine electrical/systems expert about how lightning affects onboard systems – from new to old and how to manage and mitigate damage.
James Cote
Owner, Cote Marine LLC
Doug Aling
Marine Surveyor, Pilot Marine
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
10:15 AM - 12:15 PMAccident Investigation Part 1: Know Before You Go
The investigation and reconstruction of a marine-related accident is a process involving many aspects: from review of the physical evidence, to knowing how to approach the scene, gathering evidence and conducting witnesses interviews, to utilizing the scientific method to analyze the case in order to prepare a report for your client, be it an agency, insurance carrier, or other involved parties. This three-part series will take you through these steps, with hands-on investigation of physical evidence from a vessel collision, to documenting and analyzing the evidence to the final review with input from marine surveyors, admiralty attorneys, and first responders.
Daniel Rutherford
Director of Claims and Risk Management, Maritime Program Group
The investigation and reconstruction of a marine-related accident is a process involving many aspects: from review of the physical evidence, to knowing how to approach the scene, gathering evidence and conducting witnesses interviews, to utilizing the scientific method to analyze the case in order to prepare a report for your client, be it an agency, insurance carrier, or other involved parties. This three-part series will take you through these steps, with hands-on investigation of physical evidence from a vessel collision, to documenting and analyzing the evidence to the final review with input from marine surveyors, admiralty attorneys, and first responders.
Mackenzie (“Mac”) Hannon
Maritime Enforcement Specialist, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
3:30 PM - 5:30 PMAccident Investigation Part 3: It’s in the Details Prep, report writing, trial, experts Panel
The investigation and reconstruction of a marine-related accident is a process involving many aspects: from review of the physical evidence, to knowing how to approach the scene, gathering evidence and conducting witnesses interviews, to utilizing the scientific method to analyze the case in order to prepare a report for your client, be it an agency, insurance carrier, or other involved parties. This three-part series will take you through these steps, with hands-on investigation of physical evidence from a vessel collision, to documenting and analyzing the evidence to the final review with input from marine surveyors, admiralty attorneys, and first responders.
Mackenzie (“Mac”) Hannon
Maritime Enforcement Specialist, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Director of Claims and Risk Management, Maritime Program Group
Room 2
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMPersonal Watercraft Fraud
The course will provide red flags for cloned watercraft and assist in identifying the difference in makes and models of PWCs and tips for detection and what to look for. Thefts of PWCs being stolen & subsequently cloned are a statewide problem.
Michael Haney
Captain, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
10:15 AM - 12:15 PMMarine Theft and Trends
This course will discuss the current theft trends in Florida and beyond. We will discuss past cases, success stories and the importance of sharing and networking on all levels from Law enforcement to our private sector partners and overview of the MVWC task force creation.
Nancy Alvarez
Investigator, Monroe County Sheriff's Office
12:15 PM - 1:15 PMLunch
On Your Own
1:15 PM - 3:15 PMCombatting Illegal Charters
Defining proper Passenger for Hire Operations, Bareboat Charters, Notable Cases, Statistics, and Q&A session
Jesus Porrata
Lead Marine Investigator and Chief, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
Alvaro Ferrando
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
3:15 PM - 3:30 PMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
3:30 PM - 5:30 PMMarine Theft Workshop- Bringing the Training Home
This is a certification course that enables law enforcement officers to bring IAMI Marine training home to their agency. The student will receive a pre-packaged training kit on Marine Theft, Identification, and Recovery. The training kit includes lesson plans, text, PowerPoint slides and handouts. The officer can use this kit to instruct Marine Theft, Identification, and Recovery training upon request to other agencies and/or at In-service training. In addition, this course will give law enforcement officers tips on delivery and some instructor techniques.
Yacht Practice Leader | Senior Surveyor Marine | Adjuster, Sedgwick
Bill Nolan
Owner, Fire Origin & Cause Unlimited Services, Inc.
Room 1
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMScience Behind Mechanical Part 1: Failure Analysis
The science behind mechanical failures.
Thomas Marek
Special Lines Claims, Progressive
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
10:15 AM - 12:15 PMDeep Dive Practical Part 2: Application
Deep dive into the practical applications of failure analysis.
Thomas Marek
Special Lines Claims, Progressive
12:15 PM - 1:15 PMLunch
On Your Own
Room 2
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMUSCG Investigative Services Overview and Case Study
The U.S. Coast Guard’s role in complex maritime crimes. Will provide an overview of violations of captain of the port orders, pollution, manslaughter, merchant mariner fraud, and financial crimes involving the maritime community
Caleb King
Supervisory Special Agent, United States Coast Guard (USCG)
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
10:15 AM - 12:15 PMNICB and ISO Claim Search Overview
This presentation will cover who the National Insurance Crime Bureau is, and how we assist local law enforcement and insurance member companies in their investigations in fraud and theft. The presentation will follow how NICB agents and those with access to Claimsearch ISO uses the database to assist in their investigations using common searches and Secondary HIN information.
Todd Blair
Special Agent, National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
12:15 PM - 1:15 PMLunch
On Your Own
Room 3
8:00 AM - 10:00 AMCMFI – Lithium Ion Batteries
James Cote
Owner, Cote Marine LLC
Chris Silman
Sr. Fire Investigator, S-E-A
10:00 AM - 10:15 AMBreak
Snacks Provided in Exhibitor Hall
10:15 AM - 12:15 PMCMFI – Engine & Exhaust Systems