Transportation Session Speakers
| Name | John S. Spencer, D.Sc. |
| Title | Director, Office of Marine Safety, National Transportation Safety Board |
| Speech Title | Engineering Solutions for a Sustainable Shipping Industry |
| Abstract | Aspects of shipping that have not changed over the years include continuous and random loading from waves, a corrosive environment, and the need to operate year-round for up to 25 years. The demand for larger, faster, and more capable ships continues to grow. Competition in shipbuilding has led to increased reliance on technological solutions to produce cheaper, lighter, more efficient, and more robust ships. Accompanying this has been an increased focus on safety, reliability, and environmental friendliness. Many of the improvements in ship design and shipbuilding are materials related. This talk will summarize some of the major trends in shipbuilding and will highlight areas where materials engineering can continue to contribute to growth in this industry. |
| Bio | Jack Spencer directs marine accident investigations for NTSB and examines the safety issues that contributed to the accidents. He received his B.S. in naval architecture and marine engineering from Webb Institute and an M.S. in the same disciplines from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; he earned his D.Sc. in structural engineering from George Washington University. He spent 20 years with the United States Coast Guard in marine safety and 15 years with the American Bureau of Shipping in research and standards development. For the past 25 years Dr. Spencer has served on the United States delegation at various meetings of the International Maritime Organization, and he is currently the U.S. representative to the Standing Committee of the International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress. |
