Ship Repair USA: The business impact of at-risk behavior and safety in shipyards

Credit: Bayonne Drydock

Safety is often treated as a compliance requirement in shipyards, but this session at Marine Log’s Ship Repair USA will challenge that assumption, examining how operational pressure, competitive bidding and tight schedules can drive at-risk behavior on the job.

Titled, “Safety Isn’t What You Think: The Real Cost of At-Risk Behavior,” the discussion will explore why traditional safety programs frequently fall short and how a deeper understanding of human behavior can lead to better outcomes. Moderator Jack Kiely, client executive – marine practice at Hylant, will guide a panel of industry and risk management leaders through how decision-making under pressure, not just procedures, shapes risk across shipyard operations.

Joining the discussion are Joe White, director of AEU LEAD, a division of American Equity Underwriters; Ryan Patrick Woerner, executive vice president and general counsel at Bayonne Drydock & Repair Corp.; Nathan Power, director of operations at Von Schmidt Maritime (VSM) Associates; and Shawna Neilson, vice president, risk management and engagement leader at Hylant. Together, they will examine how safety performance influences everything from insurance costs and experience modifiers to a yard’s ability to remain competitive in the bidding process.

The session will also address the broader consequences when safety breaks down, including legal, contractual and operational risks that extend well beyond the jobsite. Panelists will share perspectives on using data, neuroscience and return-to-work strategies to reduce risk without sacrificing productivity, reframing safety as a business-critical function that protects workers while strengthening shipyard performance.

ABOUT THE EVENT

Ship Repair USA brings together vessel owners, operators, shipyards and service providers to address key challenges in maintenance, repair and modernization, with sessions like this offering practical perspectives on emerging technologies.

TOP REASONS TO ATTEND

• Cost-effective repair project management
• Integration of modern technologies
• Staying compliant with the latest regulatory standards
• Building the skilled labor force necessary for long-term success

COME ON BOARD THE USS ORLECK

A networking event hosted by conference sponsor Hylant will take place June 23 aboard the USS Orleck, a Gearing-class destroyer that served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1982, providing attendees with an opportunity to connect in a historic setting.