Focus Session: Youth On Board

Summary:

Halifax, a 3-time Port-of the Year winner is a favorite port of Captains and Crew. Waterfront Development Corporation, a provincial crown corporation in Halifax, has been involved in Tall Ships events since 1984, as it owns the wharves on the Halifax waterfront. As Tall Ships events evolved, WDCL recognized an opportunity to focus more on youth, and getting them on board Tall Ships.

Through discussions with ASTA and STI, WDCL understood the focus on youth and the life-changing opportunity that could be offered to Nova Scotian youth, and worked with Sheila Brown to form SEASTAR – the Society for Self-Fulfillment, Education, Achievement through Sail Training and Responsibility.

In addition to a Society dedicated to putting youth on board Tall Ships, WDCL modified its event template to include a Crew and Cultural program that focused on shared experiences through sports, youth focused activities and providing opportunities for visits to Nova Scotia’s attractions and cultural destinations.

Focus Session: Medical Preparedness B

Summary:

One of the many responsibilities of a professional mariner is healthcare. This involves not only the health of oneself, but the health of staff and students. Join Dr. Jennifer Kabak for a presentation focusing on the health of you, your crew and your program participants. Come hear about the United States Coast Guard documents required for professional mariners working toward licensure. Become familiar with how to search for healthcare for your crew in any port. Listen to helpful hints about reviewing the medical forms of your program participants and how to address any red flags that may arise. There will be time at the end for questions.

Biography of Speaker:

Dr. Jennifer Kabak

Dr. Jennifer Kabak is a graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. Currently, she is a second-year family medicine resident at Kent Hospital in Warwick, RI.  Prior to her career in medicine, Dr. Kabak completed both an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Political Science at New York University and a master’s degree in Journalism with a focus in medical journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism. She was the Editorial Assistant at the Journal of Andrology, where she created a new section of the Journal addressing the needs of those beginning their training in the field.

 Dr. Kabak became familiar with sail training when she met her future husband, Capt. Jonathan Kabak. Once introduced, she became hooked and was active in the South Street Seaport’s volunteer program where she sailed aboard the schooners Pioneer and the Lettie G. Howard. Medical officers aboard a number of ASTA member vessels have called her for consultations regarding the care of crew members and passengers in ASTA’s sail training fleet.

Focus Session: Don’t Fall Through the Cracks-Are you protected where the Land Meets the Sea?

Summary:

Marine insurance is a specialized area that, by its nature, takes into account different jurisdictions, waters, perils of the sea, liability laws for both water and land. There are insurance coverages that are needed, requested, preferred and required. Our goal is to help you understand the marine insurance world without making you a marine insurance expert.

Biography of Speaker: Gene McKeever

Gene has been a Certified Insurance Counselor since 1980, as well as a licensed insurance agent and consultant. He has qualified as an expert witness in ocean marine insurance. Gene has also been a “subject matter expert” chosen by the State of Maine Insurance Department to help evaluate and write questions for the State insurance producer tests. He has done seminars annually for his ocean marine clients as well as for the US Coast Guard and the National Association of Marine Surveyors. Gene and the Allen Agency are officially endorsed as ASTA insurance agents for vessel insurance, land based coverage’s, as well as Directors and Officers coverage. He’s the Chairman of his town’s harbor committee. He is also the in-house educator for the Allen Agency’s staff. Gene has  taught ocean marine insurance to insurance company staff from Maine Employers Mutual Insurance Company and Acadia Insurance Company. He is a monthly contributor to the national industry publication, WorkBoat Magazine, with a column called “Insurance Watch”.